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<br />PLANNING COMMISSION FEBRUARY 28, 1989 PAGE 3 <br />least 4 handicapped parking spaces o,f the 20 in the front of the building; <br />and would like this proposal to be sent to the Safety Department, the <br />Engineering Department, and the city forester for his input, seconded by <br />M. Betts, and unanimously approved. <br />3) Toys "R" Us, located on the north side of Lorain Road, west of Crestmont. <br />Proposal to construct building. <br />Heard by the Board of Zoning Appeals February 1, 1989 <br />(Held over from cancelled meeting of February 14, 1989). <br />Mr. Nicholson and Mr. Ricci, architects, and Mr. Olear, all representing <br />Toys "R" Us explained the plari to construct a 45,000 square foot building <br />on the former Margie's Nursing Home property with an entrance and exit on <br />both Lorain and Dover Center Roads and 2 loading docks,, a customer pick up <br />area, a compactor and. transformer will be located at the rear of the store. <br />They presented pictures of stores in other locations and explained that the <br />building will be white split face block with a brown mansard. Rarking lot <br />lighting plan will be available for the Architectural Board of Review meeting. <br />Landscaping with grass, trees, and shrubs is planned along the perimeter of <br />the property. Building Commissioner Conway stated that approximately 225 <br />parking spaces are required and they are providing 323. Mr. Nicholson <br />explained that they need this number of spaces during the Christmas season. <br />Mr. Thomas believed that since there are several other toy stores in the <br />immediate area there would not be the need for the maximum number of spaces <br />at this location, pointing out that this property has many mature trees and <br />is one of the last green areas in the section of the city. Mr. Nicholson <br />stated that some of the trees were not in good condition. Mre. Morgan ad- <br />vised the the city forester had made a preliminary study of the property <br />and that they would be working with him in reference to saving some trees <br />and at this point he would prefer not to discuss the parking since there <br />could possibly be changes. Mr. Thomas and Mr. Morgan have a concern over <br />the impact of this business on the traffic in this area since it is congested <br />at present. Mr. Cesen suggested that a traffic impact study be made. The <br />developers agreed that they would fund such a study and since they will <br />not be heard by the Architectural Board of Review until the middle of March, <br />it was decided that they could return to the March 14th meeting with an <br />overview plan showing all adjacent driveways and streets even if the impact <br />study could not be completed by that time; at this meeting they would also <br />have the parking lot lighting plan, recommendations of the forester, and <br />the comments of the Safety Department. In reference to the building, the <br />Commission would like to see elevations of any other style of building that <br />they might have. Mr. Ricci stated that most ot their free standing-buildings <br />were this design, the only different styles were in locations such as malls <br />where they had to conform to other buildings. He believed that this building <br />portrays their image of having the lowest possible prices. Mr. Thomas and <br />Mr. Morgan stated that this stark white building with this immense amount of <br />blacktop is not desirable and also objected to the storage of shopping carts <br />outside the building (shown in the photographs). Mr. Ricci responded that <br />the photographs presented showed a building which had been completed, but <br />the landscaping had not been installed. Councilman McKay advis.ed that the <br />residents from the Whitethorn/Lucydale area (across Lorain Road) would like <br />the Commission to consider installing a traffic light and further stated <br />that Councilman Tallon had asked that the Dover Center entrance be eliminated. <br />Mrs. Mantle, a resident of Whitethorn, presented a petition with 45 signatures