02/13/1996 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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bottom of the fixture should not go past the building, aud he questioned if they had considered low ballard or 10 foot pole lighting. Mr. Mongello advised that they had had a problem finding a fixture for a 10 foot pole that was directionaL Mr. Tallon also questioned if the 250 watt high pressure sodium bulbs were necessary and asked that they check the photometrics on the property. Since this is just a showroom, the members questioned if all 110 parking spaces were needed. Mr. Bakers stated that tlus number was the lower amount in the code. Mr. Tallon explained that the commission would like some spaces landbanked, and if they were needed in the future, they could be installed. The representatives will check with the tenant before they return to the commission. Mr. Mongello was advised that, if they needed the spaces, they could be approved under a minor change. The plans would have to be engineered as parking and driveway because of the retention. It was clarified that only one door was shown, but they may put a door on the west side and there will be emergency exits in the rear. Mrs. O'Rourke believed that the rear parking was unnecessary since there is no rear entrance. Mr. Baker advised that this would be for employee parking. Most deliveries will be by step vans since this is only a show room, not a warehouse. Since the variances have been eliminated, only a special permit to add to a non-conforming build.ing will be needed. Mr. Steffan, the adjacent neighbor, advised that 275 feet of their property line abuts this proposal on both the south and west side. He and his neighbors are concemed about their property values and the quality of their life. He noted that several items that were brought up with the previous proposal have not been addressed. The `Jog" where it meets the building is still there and Mr. Steffan read portions of the minutes of the previous meeting that addressed that issue and indicated that it was unattractive. He noted that the expansion and parking lot would be in lus back yard and asked that the plan respect his neighbors. He requested that the commission address both light and sight pollution as they have in the past. He noted that this store is open 7 days a week, until 9:30, and sometimes 10:00 p.m, so traffic, noise, lights and invasion of privacy will be a full time problem. Mrs. Steffan passed out photographs of their existing views from their home and yard, and also what it will become wheri the house (office) on Lorain Road is gone. He pointed out the row seven foot Canadian hemlocks that he lias planted on a raised bed, and noted that they cannot come close to shielding his property. He maintained that the 6 foot pines planted on 12 foot centers would provide little protection to him and further noted that he owned 8 of the existing mature trees on the property line as well as 3 others further in, all of which will be threatened by the proposed construction; he is concerned that his trees will clie. He saw no need for 110 parking spaces and believed that the parking areas should be changed. He noted that at the last meeting, the proposal called for 57 paved spaces for a building that was 6,000 square feet larger than this one. He questioned why the building size was being reduced and the parking doubled. He noted that he would be in the middle of a parking area with garbage trucks and tractor trailers. He pointed out a picture of the wall which separated the 'residential area from the new Wa1 Mart and other pictures of barriers that have been installed in North Olmsted to protect the neighbors. He does not want to hear snow plows at 6:00 a.m. as he does now. He has attempted to protect himself by planting 16 trees along his north and east property lines, but it will not protect him from this development and the accompanying traffic and noise. He met with Mr. Wendell, the city forester, who believed that what he was asking for was reasonable, and suggested that pin oaks and sugar maples be included in the plan to fill in gaps between the mounding and the residential properiy. He pointed out the drawing showing what he had in mind, a mound with a privacy fence on top with blue spruce trees on both sides and pin oaks and sugar maples between the mound and the residents. He had also eliminated an area on the northwest corner of the building on his sketch. He stated that he had been comfortable with the commission's decisions in the past, because they do consider the residents. He asked that the commission consider expanding the buffer zone to 25 to 30 feet, with a 5 foot mound with an adequate privacy fence on top and a large quantity of spruce trees with pin oaks and sugar maples between the mound and their property. Mr. Menke, another neighbor agreed with Mr. Steffan, and added that he believed that from the standpoint of public safety, it was a 5