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Finance committee approves easements, utility relocation and road work tied to Albrecht development on Route 3
Summary
The committee approved multiple easements and a construction agreement to allow utility pole relocation, a driveway tie-in to State Route 3 and a right-turn widening tied to Albrecht’s commercial development; several approvals included emergency clauses so work can begin before nearby stores open.
The Medina City Council finance committee on Monday approved a package of easements, a FirstEnergy utility agreement and a construction agreement needed for a commercial development on State Route 3, actions the committee said are intended to let site work and utility relocation proceed ahead of nearby store openings.
City staff said the waterline easement will come from Joel Albrecht so the contractor can begin a water main loop and that the developer is also seeking an access and landscaping easement to allow a driveway tie‑in to State Route 3. Patrick, a city staff member, said, “The easement will come from Albrecht.”
Why it matters: committee members and the developer said the package must be in place quickly so utility relocation and driveway construction can proceed in coordination. Joe, an attorney for the developer, told the committee that “all parties involved would like to see the…the FirstEnergy utility easement be passed with an emergency clause, so that work can begin on the relocation of those utility poles as soon as possible.” He also said FirstEnergy will not begin pole moves “until they have payment.”
The items approved included: a waterline easement to complete a South Court water main loop; an access and landscape easement to permit a right‑turn‑in/right‑turn‑out curb cut onto State Route 3; a FirstEnergy utility easement allowing power pole relocation; and a construction agreement requiring the developer to widen High Point Drive (to add a right‑turn lane) and build sidewalks and related storm sewer per city standards. Committee members said the High Point Drive widening will become a city‑owned improvement after inspection and acceptance.
Council and staff discussed constraints tied to ODOT and the state route: Greg, a city representative, noted full curb cuts were not approved by ODOT and that the permitted driveway will allow right turns only. Patrick said the preferred water main alignment crosses the new development’s parking area because other utilities and easements closer to Route 3 made that alignment simpler to construct.
Legal review and timing: Mr. Huber, the city law director, and the developer’s counsel reviewed easement language; staff said FirstEnergy supplied a standard easement that the city considered. Multiple items were approved with emergency clauses so work can be coordinated with FirstEnergy and the developer’s schedule; committee members said the developer (Albrecht) has committed to pay FirstEnergy for pole relocation.
Outcome: motions to approve the package, typically phrased “move to approve with the emergency clause,” passed by voice vote. Committee members said no changes to project scope were made in the meeting; legal counsel will finalize final easement text where needed.
Next steps: staff will record the easements and, once agreements and payment guarantees are in place, the developer and FirstEnergy may begin utility relocation and the city and developer will proceed with the construction agreement inspections and final acceptance.
