In Cortland, growth fails to ruin charm

A school official said he sees expansion in Cortland slowing down, but Bazetta Township is wide open for continued growth and development.
By REBECCA SLOAN
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
CORTLAND -- Ed Cleckner, 88, has lived in Cortland for most of his years and says he "wouldn't live any place else," though his hometown has changed plenty.
"Cortland has grown a lot, but the growth is spread out nicely across town, so it's not too crowded," said the self-proclaimed "Cortland old-timer," who remembers swimming in Mosquito Creek before it became Mosquito Lake. "There's still a nice, small-town atmosphere here even though there have been many new businesses and many new people moving in."
Population growth: Cleckner, who served on the Trumbull County Planning Commission for 15 years, isn't alone in thinking Cortland is a nice place to call home. According to the 2000 census, Cortland's population increased by 20.5 percent to 6,830 during the past decade.
Although this growth is apparent in the numerous fast-food restaurants, housing developments and small businesses that have shot up all over town, most Cortland residents -- young or old -- say the city's growth isn't hurting Cortland's charm or quaint atmosphere.
Patty Pavlich, an employee with the city's water and sewer department, called the growth "wonderful" and "tastefully done."
"There is a fine line between being a nice, quiet place to live and having so many people move in to a town that it just ruins that atmosphere, but I have never heard anyone say anything negative about the growth of the city, and I have worked here since 1979," said Pavlich.
Attractive features: Cortland Mayor Melissa Long said four factors make people want to move to Cortland.
"We are a city with no income tax; we are a city that doesn't sell alcohol; we are a nice, quiet place in the suburbs with a lake and recreational activities; and we have an excellent school system, one of the best in the county," Long said.
Growth and expansion during the last decade within Lakeview schools is proof of the community's and school district's appeal.
Bob Wilson, who has been the principal of Lakeview High School for 10 years, said he has noticed slow, steady growth in the district since 1990.
"During the last six years there were additional classrooms added on to the elementary and middle schools, and a new media center and 847-seat auditorium was added to the high school to accommodate for the growth," Wilson said. "In general, people feel that Cortland is a nice place to raise a family, and it is. I moved here 10 years ago from Canfield, and I have no intentions of moving away."
Pupils living in both Cortland city and Bazetta Township attend Lakeview schools. Wilson said there has been steady enrollment from both communities.
"New enrollment is about half and half. New families are moving into both areas, but I think Cortland city is just about filled up, while Bazetta township is a place that is wide open for growth," Wilson said.
Bazetta on the way: Long agrees and said the tremendous residential and commercial growth Cortland has experienced in the past decade is slowing, while Bazetta is just starting to grow.
"With new water and sewer lines being run into Bazetta, there's the potential for more growth there," she said.
The 2000 census results indicate a 16.5 percent population increase in Bazetta during the past decade, with population now at 6,306. Township Trustee Wiliam O. Glancy, who has lived in Bazetta for 30 years, wasn't surprised by the marked growth.
"We have good schools, it's a safe area and it's out in the country but close to shopping centers," Glancy said.
Glancy said Bazetta still has plenty of vacant land, and he expects more growth and development during the next decade.
"There's a lot of building going on, especially around Timber Creek, Elm Road and on the west side of the township. The growth has really escalated in the past five years, and I expect it to escalate even more in the next few years," he said.
As Cortland and Bazetta grow, officials must prepare for how to best accommodate the changing faces of their communities.
Looking ahead: Long said that in the next decade, Cortland needs to expand its efforts toward more planned economic development and light industry. "Without a city income tax, we have very high real estate and property taxes, and we need some light industry to offset that," she said.
Glancy said Bazetta residents will have to make sure their township's rural appeal doesn't backfire and create a congested atmosphere where there were once tranquil, open spaces.
"I moved here from Warren 30 years ago because I wanted to raise my kids in a nice, quiet place," Glancy said. "Lots of people have that same idea, so there's a line to walk between staying rural and becoming too congested."