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Richfield planners remove trails from Crossroads regulating plan and debate requiring private construction of mapped roads
Summary
The Planning & Zoning Commission voted Jan. 27 to remove trails from a proposed Crossroads Regulating Plan and debated whether to require private developers to build mapped roadways and pedestrian pathways as part of future development along Wheatley Road; the plan remains under revision.
André Myers, consultant with Tunnell, Spangler, Walsh & Associates, presented a draft Crossroads Regulating Plan to the Village of Richfield Planning & Zoning Commission on Jan. 27 that would map new vehicular and pedestrian ways and create a process to allow limited adjustments to those alignments.
Brian Frantz, Richfield Planning & Zoning Director, told commissioners the regulating plan is intended to implement the Crossroads District Master Plan and to coordinate development as property along Wheatley Road is redeveloped. Frantz said the draft is based on the 2019 master plan but acknowledges more recent refinements the Village has approved.
Commissioners debated how assertively the Village should require private development to construct mapped roadways and paths. Some commissioners expressed concern about obligating private developers to build public infrastructure; proponents said a regulating plan could ensure future development aligns with the Village's long-term investments and vision. The consultant described a process to allow applicants to shift a planned alignment by a limited number of feet to provide flexibility while preserving the plan’s intent.
The commission voted to remove trails from the draft regulating plan. Sue Ann Philippbar moved the motion; Dan Holahan seconded. The transcript records the motion as "Upon roll call, motion passed unanimously." (Vote recorded in the minutes: yes — five commissioners.)
Votes at a glance: Remove trails from the Crossroads regulating plan — Moved by Sue Ann Philippbar; seconded by Dan Holahan; vote recorded as yes: 5; outcome: approved. Approval of Dec. 18, 2026 minutes — Moved by Sue Ann Philippbar; seconded by Teri Moran; Denise Ready is recorded as abstaining; outcome: approved (minutes text also states "motion passed unanimously" despite the abstention).
Commissioners asked the consultant and staff to refine alignments around a proposed central green and discussed the potential effect of an additional signal on Wheatley Road near the highway interchange. Several members asked for additional time outside the regular meeting to review and refine the regulating plan in coordination with the consultant team.
What happens next: Myers asked commissioners to leave comments on the project website. He anticipated the February work session would focus on dimensional standards unless the commission chooses to continue work on the use-specific standards.
The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
