Ransom Sage Farm owner petitions to move from city of Chardon to Chardon Township for agritourism business

Chardon property owner Ben Sage seeks to detach from the city in order to pursue plans for 120 acres at 505 Center St.

Sage recently filed a petition for detachment in Geauga County Common Pleas Court. The filing notes that the property was not within the original municipal limits and was annexed to the city (in 1969).

The petition is related to Sage’s plans to expand his farm business at Ransom Sage Farm, which extends from behind Walmart Supercenter to the Sage’s Apples border.

Sage had approached the city in July about using the land for activities ranging from pick-your-own produce to outdoor events, to — eventually — a winery featuring hard cider.

City code doesn’t provide for such uses and the plans would require a considerable number of variances, so officials were considering a zoning text amendment that would allow creation of an agritourism overlay district.

Permitted uses in a draft of the amendment include wineries, bed & breakfasts, limited retail, food venues, fairs and festivals related to agriculture, outdoor concerts/live entertainment, facilities for special events, zip lines, slides, playgrounds, cabins, pavilions and tents, corn mazes, trails for walking/biking/cross-country skiing, self-picking and fishing.

At a January meeting of the Planning Commission, questions arose about setbacks, utility service and parking. City leaders were awaiting a concept plan to proceed. Sage filed the petition to detach on March 28.

He said the property — acquired last year — is prime for fruit-growing. It adjoins the family orchard and will allow them to operate in tandem, saving time and money.

“This new farm will be an integral part of our farming operation, but only if we can operate it as is necessary for our specific crops,” he said. “Historically, regulations pertaining to real estate within the city limits have proven to be unsustainable with agriculture. In order to continue our family’s farming tradition with the same values we have used for over 150 years and still meet the needs of the community and Northeast Ohio, this land must be detached from the city of Chardon.

“We see the value of locally grown food and want to continue to share that with others. The land will still be regulated by Chardon Township. However, the regulations imposed by municipalities make it near impossible to continue with sustainable agriculture that our customers and our family love so much. This property is not receiving benefits from the city of Chardon such as sewer and water, and we are not intending to take benefits away from the city of Chardon. We merely want to continue to do what we are passionate about and farm.”

The city of Chardon’s response to the petition disputes its assertion that the farm land will be taxed for municipal purposes in substantial excess of the benefits conferred by reason of it being within the city. Detaching the land will materially and adversely affect the best interest or good government of the city of Chardon, it says.

The detachment also would cause another parcel in the city to be noncontiguous to the city, in violation of the Ohio Revised Code, the response says.

The land is zoned industrial, commercial and rural conservation.

Chardon Law Director James M. Gillette is asking that the petition be dismissed.

“There’s a potential loss, depending how the property is developed,” he said. “Right now, part of it is zoned industrial. If it were to proceed with industrial development, you’re looking at the possibility of employees and income tax.”

Chardon Township Trustee Tim McKenna said the agritourism concept is a welcome idea in the township, where there are fewer development regulations.

“(The city leaders) want a parking lot; they want storm sewers,” he said. “You’re talking to people who grew up on a farm.”

The next step is setting of a pretrial date. The case has been assigned to Judge Carolyn J. Paschke.

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