by Jeff Saunders

Reporter

North Summit County -- Some of more than 900 acres along the east side of Route 8 can be developed, but there are limits as to how much development the area can support, concluded a $40,000 study of the area.

"There's significant potential to development in this area, but there are significant hurdles to development," said Greg Myers, a partner in Silverlode Consulting Corp., a Cleveland-based economic development consulting firm that co-wrote the study.

Myers said the hurdles were environmental and included the presence of wetlands and Brandywine Creek.

The study was released May 28 at a press conference in Macedonia's City Center. The area studied included land between Highland Road and Hines Hill Road in Macedonia, Northfield Center and Boston Heights. Much of the property in Macedonia and Northfield Center was the site of a proposed major league soccer stadium and retail complex. Developers of that project, the Wolstein Sports and Entertainment Group, said earlier this year they are still considering the area for development, but are also looking at other possible locations.

The study was commissioned in January by the city, township, Summit County and Summit County Port Authority.

Macedonia Mayor Don Kuchta, who ended his support of the stadium and retail project and called for such a study, said "the key word" in the study is "potential."

"The potential to have businesses there. The potential to work with the environment. The potential for more money for our schools and communities," he said.

Northfield Center Trustee Paul Buescher said he wanted to examine the 60-page study before commenting at length, but added he feels the study does not support the stadium project.

"I think [Myers] summed it up very well when he said the common thread is preserving the area environmentally," said Buescher. "The big thing is that study shows there will not be a stadium."

The study looked at 918 acres, including 270 in Macedonia, 337 in Northfield Center and 311 in Boston Heights. Boston Heights did not take part in the study, but city and township officials wanted that land included because of its close proximity.

The study concludes that only 267 acres of the 918-acre area is open to commercial and residential development due to the presence of wetlands and the setbacks mandated by county ordinances and federal regulations along the creek.

"Riparian setbacks include a big portion of the area," said Laura DeYoung, an environmental planner with Stow-based EnviroScience Inc., and environmental consulting firm that also worked on the study.

But Myers said the study indicates that the communities and county could still generate significant tax revenues.

The study looks at two scenarios, permitted and conditional development.

DeYoung said conditional development includes areas where variances would have to be granted because they fall within riparian setbacks.

Myers said that development could be used to restore Brandywine Creek to a more meandering course that would increase its capacity and serve as an improved flood-control measure.

"Gaining economic benefits does not mean consuming natural resources in a way that leaves everyone worse off," said Myers.

E-mail: jsaunders@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3169