Residents voice environmental and access concerns over proposed land swap with Twinsburg City School District

A proposed land exchange between the city and the Twinsburg City School District drew public comment at the April 8 Twinsburg City Council meeting as Resolution 40-20-25 stood on its second reading.

Residents raised environmental, financial and access concerns about trading two parcels in Lot 44, described in public comment as currently wooded, for the Dodge property, which school-district materials value higher. Robert Pachelet, a Twinsburg resident, called the resolution “narrowly written” and warned the woodland parcels serve a densely populated area that currently lacks another public space of similar size.

Pachelet said the city-valued woodlands at $493,380, compared with the Dodge property at $837,570—a difference he calculated as $344,190—and told council the Twinsburg City School District would bear costs for environmental cleanup and removal of the Dodge building if the exchange proceeds. He also said removal of trees and added impervious surface could increase runoff onto nearby properties on Chamberlain and Stone Creek and argued the proposed Chamberlain entrance would be farther from police and fire services.

Why it matters: the swap would change ownership and use of publicly controlled land, with potential consequences for neighborhood stormwater, emergency access and the school district’s finances.

During public comment, Pachelet urged council to either revise Resolution 40-20-25 to allow negotiation of any public facility of reasonably equal or appraised value or to table the measure until after the May election results. He suggested alternative sites for school facilities discussed previously, including a parcel “91 in Glenwood,” land behind the high school (described in public comment as about 32 acres) and land in front of the middle school; he told council those sites might avoid some of the concerns he raised about flooding and access.

Other residents spoke in support. Don Henning identified himself as a Twinsburg resident and former school-board member and said the parcel swap was “a good deal” and in line with earlier intentions for the land. Rhonda Crawford, also a resident, emphasized the longstanding shared use of school facilities, the presence of school resource officers and how the city–school partnership supports youth programming.

Council did not vote on Resolution 40-20-25 during the meeting; the item remains on its second reading.

Details cited in public comment: the woodland parcels were presented with a city valuation of $493,380; the Dodge property was cited at $837,570; the comments said the school district would be responsible for environmental cleanup and removal costs for the Dodge property but did not quantify those cleanup costs. Pachelet also identified neighborhood impacts tied to Chamberlain and Stone Creek and referenced a prior levy defeat in 15 of 22 precincts as a context point.

The council did not take formal action on the resolution at the April 8 meeting; further council consideration will follow as the item proceeds through the city’s ordinance and resolution process.