POST Wednesday, March 8, 2023 • Vol. 15 No. 21 • FREE
Middlefield Planning Commission Voices Reservations About Airbnbs By Ann Wishart ann@karlovecmedia.com
As demand for short-term rentals – like Airbnbs – increases across the country, Middlefield Village Planning Commission is looking at ways to regulate their establishment in the village. Ohio House Bill 563, which would not allow municipalities to control short-term rentals, was not passed and signed before the end of 2022, so cities and villages are free to set guidelines for the short-term rental of homes. On Feb. 7, planning commission Chairman Scott Klein recommended the commission pursue some regulations for homeowners already operating Airbnbs or who are considering the money-making idea.
Klein said he has stayed at Airbnbs when traveling and likes them, but he said he has reservations about leaving them unregulated in the village. “I don’t want an Airbnb next door,” he said, recommending the village only allow them in areas zoned for multifamily residences or general commercial use, which would rule out opening short-term rentals in subdivisions. Most of the village is zoned to allow multifamily residences, Klein said. The property owner should also be required to get a permit from the village to operate a short-term rental, he said, adding he would like the owner to report what days someone is staying at the property, so the police department knows why cars
with out-of-state licenses are parked there. Keeping up the appearance of the village is also a goal, Klein said. “They need to be well maintained and looked after,” he said, adding if the property is not well maintained or the neighbors complain, the permit could be pulled. Ideally, the house would be owner-occupied, so part of it would be rented out while the owner remained in residence, Klein said. If that is not acceptable, the village needs to have the owner’s contact information on file in case there is a problem, he said. Commission member Dave Dietrich urged caution. “Let’s start out conservatively
and see how it works,” he said. No action was taken following the conversation. However, regulations on parking spaces for electric vehicle supply equipment may go to village council soon. Changes to the proposed ordinance included sizing EV spaces at least 10-feet-by-20-feet and landscape screening. Klein said the fire department should weigh in on the installation of the equipment. The proposed ordinance recommended limits on the number or percentage of EV parking spaces in a commercial lot, but commission members noted the supply equipment is expensive to install and limits might not be necessary.
Bicyclist Killed After Running Stop Sign Staff Report A bicyclist riding the Maple Highlands Bike Trail in Middlefield Township died Feb. 14 after he failed to stop at the post trail stop sign and was hit by a sport utility vehicle, the Ohio State Highway Patrol said. Steven Arnold Hirsh, 60, of Middlefield Township, died at University Hospitals Geauga Medica Center in Claridon Township, where he was taken after the 3:18 p.m. crash. Hirsh was riding west on the bike trail when he pedaled through a stop sign at the intersection of state Route 528. He was hit by a southbound 2015 Chevrolet Equinox that 38-year-old Erika Hardee, also of Middlefield Township, was driving on Route 528, the patrol said. Hirsh did not have a helmet on, the patrol added, and alcohol and drugs do not appear to be a factor in the crash at this time. The crash remains under investigation, the patrol said.
COURTESY OF CARDINAL ATHLETICS
From left, Adelyn G., Olivia K., Ivy K., Coach Domen, Natalie S., Nijha M., Nova Y. and Rebecca K. (on crutches).
Cardinal 8th-Grade Girls Are CVC/Metro Champions Submitted
The Cardinal Huskies eighthgrade girls basketball team won the Chagrin Valley Conference Metro Division championship last week. The Huskies defeated Berkshire, 37-15. “Remember it’s not where you start, it’s where you finish,” coach
Kim Domen said. Ivy K. paced Cardinal with a solid game of 11 points and four rebounds, to go along with three assists and four steals. Nova Y. and Natalie S. each had 10 points, with Natalie also grabbing five boards, dishing our four assists and snatching four steals. Nova had three rebounds, an assist, two
steals and three blocks. Adelyn G. contributed four points, a team-high eight rebounds, five assists and seven rebounds — and a block. Olivia K. chipped in with a twopoint, six-rebound game, with one assist and a steal. Nijah M. finished with one rebound and a steal.
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American Legion Post 459 Sundays, Feb. 26 – April 16, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Atwood-Mauck American Legion Post 459 is serving its annual all-you-can-eat pancake, sausage and scrambled eggs breakfasts every Sunday through April 16, except for Easter, at the post located at 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton. Eat in or take out. For information, call Skip at 440-313-2095. Geauga Historical Society Sundays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Geauga County Historical Society is hosting all-you-can-eat pancake breakfasts every Sunday in March, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Century Village Museum, 14653 East Park St. in Burton. Cost is $10 for adults; $5 for children 5-12 years and free to children 4 and under. Takeout is also available. For more information, call 440-834-1492. Huntsburg Congregational Church March 11, 8:30 a.m. to noon The Huntsburg Congregational Church is hosting an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast at the church located at 12435 Madison Road, Huntsburg Township. Breakfast also includes sausage, scrambled eggs and beverages. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for kids 5 to 12 and free for youth under 5. Carryout is available. There will be a 50/50 raffle. Call 440-632-3000 for information. Parkman Chamber Pancakes Sundays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Parkman Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual pancake breakfasts every Sunday in March at the Parkman Community House, 16295 Main Market Road. Enjoy the special recipe sausage and local pure maple syrup. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 5-10. Eat in or drive-thru/carry out. Seldom Seen Farm March 11, 8-11 a.m. Seldom Seen Farm is hosting a pancake breakfast during the Maple Tour at the farm located at 10055 Madison Road in Montville Township.
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