05/09/1994 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

samples and the colored rendering of the building. Mr. Herbsman, the architect, gave another presentatiou of the exterior materials on the bu.ild.ing since the neighbors had not been able to see the renderings during the original one. Mr. Skoulis then asked about the possibility of damage to Westbury's underground garage, Mr. Newberry had presented a cross section of this area showing that they will be 8 to 9 feet away from the concrete slab, not the garage, which will be over 20 feet away. Mr. Skoulis would like the mou.nd along Brookpark a little higher than the 6 feet shown. Mr. Miller had asked Mr. Skoulis to be specific about the size of the mound that he wanted, and Mr. Skoulis stated that it was hard to make a decision at this time. He would like them to construct a sample of a 6, 7, and 8 foot mound so that the residents could see what they preferred. Mr. Thomas believed that this would be economically impossible, and noted that the A.R.B. had recommended a 4 foot mound, and the Commission had suggested 6 in deference to the neighbors. He stated that Wal-Mart had a right to be seen from the main street. Mr. Gorris clarified that tlus mound would also start at the elevation of the building floor. Mr. Thomas stated that all the mounds should be taken from the same elevation. Mr. Conway had talked with Mr. Zergott of the A.R.B. who would like to see entry way planting on Brookpark, since he is concerned about the height of the mound on Brookpark. He suggested that some boulder or stone work be used to tier the mound since so it will not look so high. Mr. Thomas believed that the Commission could ask Mr. Zergott to follow through with this during construction. Mr. Newberry believed that the height and width of the mound should be varied, in order to make it more attractive and will talk to Mr. Zergott about the plans. Mr. Gorris noted that in his memo of May 9th, Mr. Wendell, the forester, wanted some more parking spaces eliminated on the southwest area in order to insure the existing trees survive. Mr. Thomas and Mr. Gorris were concerned that if tlie Plauning Commission asked them to landbank those spaces, it would give Wal-Mart an excuse to ask for variances to display in the parking lot. Mrs. Diver, Mitchell Drive, would like the building to have more character, perhaps in, a Western Reserve style, and she would also like the brick to come up higber. It was pointed out that Mr. Sohn had approved the building. She asked Mr. Dubelko i? because they were allowed to build such a large store, and if they denied a variance to display in the parking lot, oould they sue because they were denied the right to sell. Mr. Dubelko advised that anyone could request a variance showing a practical difficulty, and certainly the B.Z.A. would take into consideration that the hardship was self imposed, but he cannot predict what either the B.Z.A. or the courts would do. Mrs. Schuler stated that they appreciate that VVal-Mart did come back with these changes and they were concerned when they read an article in the newspaper that pressure was being brought to bear on the Planning Commission by the Mayor. Mr. Thomas and Mr. Gorris agreed that the Mayor had never pressured the members of the Commission to vote any way for any proposal. She was also advised that any outdoor display whether it is landscape material or the temporary greenhouse would have to go before the Board of Zoning Appeals, because they do not have enough extra parking spaces for outdoor display. Mrs. Schuler questioned if Wal-Mart could be asked to bear the cost of traffic lights if more become necessary because of the _addition traffic they generate and more are needed after the store is built. Mr. Dempsey agreed that more lights might be needed and wou.ld like some kind of a contingency that they would have to pay for the lights. In reference to the mound, since only 2 trees are to be saved by stopping the mound, he would prefer that the mound and brick wall go all the way down the property line for safety and noise. Mrs. Gerding, a resident of Chase Drive, explained that they live on the far eastern part of North Olmsted and questioned what road would be used for emergency access, since she heard that they 5