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been done above the land, but none beneath it. She begged the Commission not to be rezone this <br />property. Mr. Smith stated he was not opposed to building and making money, but believed that <br />the issue was flooding, with every rainfall he gets water and raw sewage. The streets in his area <br />have just been repaired in the past two years, probably costing close to a million dollars, but the <br />flooding problems have not been resolved. Since engineering studies were made when the streets <br />were rebu.ilt and it did not good, he wondered if the engineering studies mentioned this evening <br />will solve the problems. He has been told by the Service Director and the engineers that they had <br />thought that the problems had been conected, but they will not be until the County completes their <br />construction of the larger storm sewers on Clague Road. He did not believe that anything should <br />be constructed until the County corrects their problem. Mr. Abramhanson, a resident of Butternut <br />Ridge Apartments, spoke of the need for less expensive housing in the area since his family hopes <br />to stay in North Olmsted. This development is something that they would consider, since most <br />single family homes are not in their price range. Ms. Urban responded to Mr. Abramhanson that <br />possibly, when she cannot sell her house because of the flooding problems, he can afford to buy it, <br />because she can never sell her home for what she, has put in it. Mr. Spaulding, a former Plauning <br />Commission member, noted that there were several questions the Commission must answer. What <br />are the corisequences of changing this zoning, from Single Family, Residence to Single Family, <br />Cluster, since tlus would be a perfect example of spot zoning which is considered the worst type of <br />zoning that can be done by a community. He believed that the existing zoning code has been <br />nurtured for years; there is no zoning designation for planned unit development, but this is not the <br />area for a planned unit development. It is spot zoning which will set a precedent that developers <br />can use in any legal fight with a city. Also, there is no topographical problem which would be a <br />valid reason to change the zoning. No hardship has been mentioned as a reason for not being able <br />to develop the property as zoned. He questioned if there was a need for Single Family, Cluster, <br />housing in North Olmsted, since there are two in North Olmsted at present and both are located in <br />appropriate districts where multi-family housing is permitted. He maintained that cluster zoning is <br />two family unit zoning, or multi-family zoning and there is plenty of land zoned for multi family <br />today. He questioned the need for senior housing and since senior housing was being added at the <br />west end of town, in an appropriate district, and asked if any survey has been taken to show a <br />need for senior housing. He summarized that there is no valid or compelling reason for changing <br />the zoning and noted that no matter how attractive a development might appear on the surface, no <br />one should ignore what constitutes good plaiuung. He pointed out that both Mr. Wliitlatch and <br />Mr. Basalla previously worked for the former Cuyahoga CounTy Regional Planning Commission <br />and if they were still employed there, they would have to recommend that this proposed rezoning <br />would constitute spot zoning or poor zoning. This development should be in a multi-family district <br />and there is land left for multi-family development. Ms. Rutt stated that her children had asked to <br />come to implore the Commission not to cut down the trees since they are learning about ecology, <br />and all the trees along Lorain Road are being destroyed to jam strip centers in every corner. Mr. <br />Basalla presented a handout showing this properiy as it could be configured for a single family <br />development and advised that their analysis a single family development with streets connecting <br />onto Woodview and Sharon Drives would result in a substantial increase in traffic on those two <br />streets. With the proposed development they.would be taking all the traffic out onto Lorain Road. <br />One neighbor, speaking from the audience, stated that they would put up with the traffic. Mr. <br />Basalla stated that more wooded area would be preserved with this development than with a <br />subd.ivision §ince they would have to create a dr'ainage swale along each side which would mean <br />7