BAINBRIDGE TOWNSHIP, Ohio - Plans for development of the former Geauga Lake Park property took an unexpected turn, much like some of the old amusement rides that used to run through the park. Township officials told residents last week that neighboring Aurora recently surprised them by pulling out its portion of land in a proposed joint economic development district.

Bainbridge Trustee Lorrie Sass Benza reviews plan for Geauga Lake development.Joan Rusek/Special to cleveland.com 

Trustee Lorrie Sass Benza said that Aurora would only include the portions of the property that lie within Bainbridge's borders and not the portions that lie within Aurora for the JEDD. This means that Aurora would keep 100 percent of the city income taxes for Aurora businesses and keep 50-percent of income taxes for Bainbridge businesses in the JEDD.

"We had a very different understanding, and thought we would be equal partners splitting all of the proceeds," Benza said. "It makes sense for them, since they are a village and can already keep 100 percent of their city income taxes."

She explained that the trustees can either continue to pursue the diminished JEDD with the city of Aurora, or pursue a JEDD with the villages of South Russell and Bentleyville and the City of Solon or any other incorporated municipality that touches its borders.

"As a township, we cannot collect income taxes," Benza added, which is why a JEDD is necessary.

According to Trustee Jeff Markley, Bainbridge could receive a much higher percentage of the tax revenue with a different neighboring community.

"I've seen them as high as a 90-percent to 10-percent split," he said. "The last thing I thought would happen is a road block with Aurora."

Markley explained that easy access to sewer and water utilities on the property are available through Aurora, and that Aurora indicated that it would only provide access to them if the JEDD was through them. If Bainbridge negotiated a JEDD with another community, utility infrastructure would have to be added, which would push back the timetable for development.

Sass said that if Bainbridge waited until it could negotiate its most advantageous economic plan with another municipality, it could lose some interested groups, such as the Meijers chain, which wants to open as store in 2019.

"There's a lot of moving parts to this," Markley said. "There are two counties and two jurisdictions involved. A lot of developers would walk away from the permitting process. Should we just start with Meijers and get the ball rolling, or should we hold out for a better plan?"

"It's time to get resident input," Trustee Kristina O'Brien said.

All three trustees encouraged residents to contact them at Town Hall to express their views on the JEDD.

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