08/24/1998 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Special Council Meeting 8-24-98 Page 6 Council President Fixler asked if there were any comments from the audience. Rich Considine, White Road -expressed concern regarding the Village's acquisition of property on White Road. He said they are opposed to it and wish to have their name taken offthe procurement list. They are not interested in selling their property. He thinks his neighbors agree: Mayor Rinker said for all the change that is going on in the North Chagrin Commons, it is important for the Village to stay on top of things. We know we are the only ones talking to you and your neighbors about acquiring the property. The area is zoned for residential. There is a significant amount of change going on at your borders. He has talked to a couple of people in Willoughby Hills who have expressed a concern. We want to work with our residents as much as possible. We have talked to every property owner along SOM and White. The Village is constrained by law, if we are going to talk in terms of acquiring property that we need to do so formally. We can't do it delicately. We have tried to be up front about it and approach you all. He hopes in the event your position changes you will contact us. In the long run, we are looking to achieve a residential balance as much as possible in that area. Our concern is that we keep an eye out and we keep control. Mr. Considine said he can see where the Village is up in the air. That leaves their 5 remaining homes where we don't know where we stand. He asked if it will eventually be negotiated--which is fine if it is an open market negotiation--but eminent domain is what he is really afraid of. Mayor Rinker said we can't allay any fear you may have about eminent domain. It is always there. It is a Constitutional law. Our policy has always been to deal at arms length with residents. We try to approach people and work out a business solution if we can. There have been a number of instances over the years where we have had some pretty good success in doing so. We will continue to do it that way. Eminent Domain is not something we resort to quickly or without a lot of discussion. Mr. Considine said he understands the Village doesn't know where it is going or where it will end up; we don't either. It is the fear of the unknown that makes us all uneasy. We have had several high pressure salesmen approach us within the last 6 months; he does not think they were affiliated with the Village. He does not know who they represent. Tony Masevice, 6504 White Road, said it was surprising to receive a letter from the Village regarding a purchase option. He questioned the Village's thinking in trying to secure that piece of property. What is the main thing driving them to pick that up. Is there something defmitive in the works that made this letter come out now.