02/09/1988 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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. PLANNING COMMISSION FEBRiTARY 9, 1988 PAGE 3 3) Lauren Hill Plaza,. 24106-Lorain Road Proposal to construct-shopping center. (Variance granted by the Board of Zoning Appeals January 6, 1988). J. Zayac, one of the developers, explained proposal: the 50,000 square foot, "L" shaped shopping center would be a neighborhood convenience center, containing approximately 15 to 20 retail units (approximately 1,600 to 3,200 square feet each); a variance was granted for access driveways in excess of 120 feet apart, variance for fewer parking spaces than required was denied, subsequently they are in the process of obtaining land..from . the adjacent property owners and parking: shown conf_orms to -code. This irregularly shaped parcel wi12 contain.5.88 acres. The rear drive will . be for fire.access only and will be closed off by gates to prohibit use as loading or trash area and to prevent any undesirable activities-behind building, explaining -thatthe back sliver of land is zoned residential, and that a natural buffer will be maintained between the -fireaecess drive and the residential properties (b uffer is 75 feet at the widest point but narrows to about 10 to 15 feet).. Commission 8tudied plans and has several .concerns: the possibility of.trucks illegally unloadirig in fire lanes_since loading.zones are behind eastern.most leg of.building; not conYenient-to shops in the western section af building; if fire access drive:could be in 50 foot buffer area; how much:traffic. center will generate, that center would:increase ingress- and egress onto Lorain Road creating.more congestion; if there would be enough laiid?' remaining on the Ground Round Restaurant _ parcel aft.er:.a-portion of this property has been split.otf, -especially , since this is an.older establishinent..and could -be under the graridfather clause (concerned that this could be:creating'a,hardship for ariy future expansion or any future ch ange of use,. pointing out that this would be a. self-created hardship); and finally, what impact.there would be on the surrounding streets and driveways=on adjacent.properties.. Assistant Law Director Dubelko advised that obstruction of a.fire.lane was a violation of the ordinance: Building Commissioner.Conway stated that he had deter- mined that since the rear portion was zoned residential, the rear.drive could only be used for fire access, if that portion had-.been zoned com- mercial, it could be.used for parking; but he does not eonsider a fire access drive as a commercial use and that the rear doors .are for fire exit only. The development team, .Mr.. Zayac, Mr.. Rancilla.,. Mr. Kirby, Mr. Koury, and Mr. 'Seaman responded:..proposal would -not generate traffic, would.merely take from existing traffic on Lorain Road; propert.y is zoned for commercial.use, and it.is.assumed .that commercial,-.use will increase traffic; stores on.western segment of center wi11 be small units, deliveries would be by.small trucks, 32 foot'front.drive would.accomodate circulating traffic and unloading and fire lane could be?pos:ted.a's such; loading zones are provided.as code requires; fence and natural buffer area are provided between-.fire access"".drive.and adjacent residential propexty lines; and that they have been working with the adj acent residents and the Fire De- partment to resolve coneerns. .The Commission advised the developer that a detailed landscape plan must be provided for the Architectural Board of Review, and that dimensions must be shown,.on.plan.. Gommission believes that a rear access drive which is gated off could present security prob lems since Police would be unable to_patrol. They ar.e also questioning if building could be reduced in order to iiicrease the green area at the nar- rowest point and to include a loading zone at the northwest section of the .