Ilegal logging on the Cedar Fair property next to Rivers Edge Community

7 Jun

Rivers Edge resident, Joyce Hannum, who lives on Brewster Road alerted us to illegal logging that was taking place last week on the Cedar Fair property that borders our community.  Please also see contact information below to report  any other potentially illegal logging activity.

Joyce and her husband noticed that logging was taking place but it sounded a little off from where they should have been.  There are two properties which buffer our community from the “commercial” part of Geauga Lake properties. One is owned by Cedar Fair and they are not allowed by court order to develop but must leave in “pristine” condition. The other belongs to Bainbridge Township and is in a conservancy status.  The logging was directly behind the residents of Lori Lane and about 6 properties on Brewster Rd.

Her husband contacted the Zoning Inspector for Bainbridge, Karen Endres. She investigated and found that the loggers were in fact logging on the wrong lots in violation of the court order.

Karen Endres contacted the Bainbridge Trustees, Lorri Sass Benza, Kristina O’Brien and Jeff Markley. Ms. Benza and Mr. Markley contacted the police department

Inspector Endres and the police chief and one other officer went to the property and shut down the logging activities pursuant to the existing court order.  Rivers Edge property owners are to be aware and if we hear them continue to cut down trees or any large equipment causing damage to these properties we are requested to call the Bainbridge police department (use non-emergency number 440-543-8252) or contact the village offices and let the zoning inspector know.

Lorri Sass Benza suggests that the concerned members of our community contact Mr. Duff Milkie, VP of Cedarfair at one of the following numbers:  419-680-4283, 419-609-5770 or 419-627-2377 and let him know this is unacceptable and that Cedar Fair should have control of any contractors (loggers) that they hire. In the past they have been good neighbors but their loggers are destroying property that directly affects us and our community.

Incidentally, other neighbors had noticed heavily-laden logging trucks on Brewster Road on the same day.

Thank you Joyce for reporting the logging activity to the authorities and for passing along the contact information.

Survey: Geauga lakefront prime for family fun, hiking and retail – CVT May 22, 2017

24 May

A report on a long-term vision for the former Geauga Lake property based on four months of research and survey has been released.  The results of the survey will be presented to the Bainbridge Trustees.  The report notes the unique history and ecology of Geauga Lake and emphasizes public access to the lake, environment conservation and a mix of land uses that contribute to the environmental and economic health of the region.

Read the full article… CVT 05-22-2017

Liberty Ford dealership to move into former Geauga Lake property

17 Dec

Liberty Ford Solon will be moving to Aurora and investing about $10M in a new dealership. The auto group has signed a deal with Cedar Fair, owner of the former Geauga Lake Amusement Park and Sea World property, to purchase a 14­-acre parcel for $1.43 million. The property will be located at the corner of Aurora and Squires roads, at the entrance to the Old Sea World complex near the Wild Water Kingdom sign and just 4 miles from the current Solon location.  Read the full article (Chagrin Valley Times)

Township, Meijer working to clear way for hyperstore

27 Aug

Chagrin Valley Times, Aug 20, 2015: After several months of on and off discussions, a proposal for a Meijer hyperstore at the former Geauga Lake Park property was back for review by the township trustees….

Meijer has conceded on some of its prior demands and has agreed to build a road to make further development in the area accessible.

Read the full article – CedarFair_Meijers_CVT 082015

Bainbridge Zoning Commission public hearing on mixed-use zoning for Geauga Lake on Tuesday 03-24, 7pm

21 Mar

RESIDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND THE BAINBRIDGE ZONING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED MIXED-USE ZONING FOR THE FORMER GEAUGA LAKE PARK, TUESDAY, MARCH 24 2015 at 7pm IN THE BAINBRIDGE TOWN HALL.

Chagrin Valley Times March 20, 2015: Zoning Hearing on Cedar Fair Land

The Bainbridge Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. Tuesday (03.24.2015) at Bainbridge Town Hall on the proposed mixed-use, planned-unit-development zoning for the former Geauga Lake Park land and surrounding properties that are currently zoned for commercial recreation. All future development would have to conform to the mixed-use zoning if it passes.

The proposed zoning can be reviewed in this document and this slide deck at the Bainbridge Township website.

Read the Chagrin Valley Times article HERE