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Commission recommends council approve Ridgefield entrance signage and landscaping, with arborist review and easement conditions
Summary
The commission voted unanimously to recommend to city council approval of three entrance signs and associated landscaping for the Ridgefield subdivision, subject to city arborist review to avoid invasive species, a 5-foot utility setback for signs, and landscape easement language to vest HOA maintenance duties.
The North Ridgeville Planning Commission on May 12 voted to recommend that city council approve monument and arm signage and the accompanying landscape plan for the remaining phases of the Ridgefield subdivision, with several conditions intended to protect utilities, prevent invasive plantings and ensure long-term maintenance.
Planning and Development Director Lieber told the commission the three proposed sign locations (model park at Gatestone Road, Pleasant Ridge Circle and Long Brook Drive) comply with Chapter 1282 requirements for height, area and illumination. Lieber said most landscaping is shown in HOA common blocks, while a portion at the Gatestone model park will be on model sublots and therefore should be protected by a landscape easement on the plat when appropriate.
Keith Philipowski of PY Homes said the monuments are intended for "demarcation and wayfinding" consistent with existing Ridgefield signage and that the developer will place the signs in HOA common areas and maintain them. "We will not be touching any areas that are wetlands," Philipowski said, and he added the company is willing to change species if the city arborist recommends alternatives.
Neighbor Christy Dunn raised concerns about buffers for back yards, the use of potentially invasive species listed on the plant schedule (she cited Japanese Zelkova and leatherleaf viburnum), and whether wetland-appropriate plantings would be used in a large retention basin. The administration said the city arborist reviews field changes and that final landscaping will be reviewed with the final plat and improvement plans. The developer said it has committed to meet with adjacent homeowners to work out buffering and planting details and to avoid disturbing wetlands.
A commissioner moved that the commission recommend the signage and planting plan to council subject to conditions: city arborist review to remove any invasive species, a minimum five-foot setback from known utilities for sign placement, landscaping designed so as not to impede stormwater and utility infrastructure, and that a landscape easement with vesting language be included on the plat where required. The motion passed unanimously on roll call: Commissioners Ali, Toth, Schuman, Winkl and Smolick voted yes.
The recommendation now goes to city council for final approval; staff said any final street-tree locations or plant substitutions will be subject to city arborist approval and will be finalized with the required platting and improvement plan process.
