The Bainbridge Township Board of Zoning Appeals has voted unanimously to squash a proposed flea market to be held in the unused parking lot of a shuttered amusement park in Bainbridge, Ohio.
As reported in the Aurora Advocate, board members cited a range of concerns:
“We just think this is unmanageable from our standpoint,” board chairman Michael Lamanna said. Lamanna noted reasons for rejecting the variance were seasonal outdoor sales of merchandise are not permitted in the commercial/recreation zoning district and it would be difficult for the township to control the activities. Other board members said they believe the township wouldn’t benefit from property or payroll taxes, and the patrons of the market would only have a minimal effect on neighboring businesses. Others were concerned if the variance was OK’d, businesses in other areas could request permission to have outdoor sales from tents and trailers.
The backers of the planned Geauga Lake Flea Market are not giving up yet. According to the Advocate, the organizers of the would-be Geauga Lake Flea Market can go to court or to the town trustees to appeal the decision. One of the market organizers says he will negotiate with the trustees to get the land rezoned.
