09/24/1996 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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? Mac Systems which is part of Key Corp, who are now constructing an second building off I-71 aud wondered why they did not try to solicit them for North Olmsted. She doubts that they tried to develop this parcel for office. Mr. Biskind was deceived by M. K Ferguson Company and when this fell tluough they made no further effort to develop office for this parcel. She repeated that the two gentlemen who spoke had said tliat they would never have bought their homes, had they thought there would be retail behind them. She believed that Mr. Richardson had insulted the citizen of North Olmsted by insinuating that the elite were all on the east side. She stated that they had their life savings in their home, and she does not want a"big box" behind her. In spite of what their experts say, she believed that the residents were "professional residents", who live here, pay taxes, and had not wanted to become a regional shopping area. She maintained that if the residents could vote, they would vote `?no". She wondered if everyone in North Olmsted should sell their homes and move out and do away with the city. She asked where would it stop, there would always be new retaiL This proposal would be a grave harm to all of them and to the entire city. Mr. Corsi stated that much was said about the Mayor, Law Director, and others in the city, and he would like an opportunity to re-butt this. He stated that Biskind Development has been investing in North Olmsted for close to 50 years, they have not prostituted anyone in their history, and have been good corporate citizens. He stated that when the council was dealiug with a zoning issue dealing with pornography, zoned a specific area, knowing that this corporate citizen would not let them down, they do look out for the community. He is asking for a chance to re-but, and if necessary, they will go out and discuss this and come back later. In response to a residents question as to why they did not build office buildings, Mr. Corsi stated that Mr. Biskind had a grand design in 1988, and during the design period, he hired an expert who did a market study and told lwn that it was crazy, and he should not do it, because it would not work. Mr. Biskind went forward with it anyway and that marketing study today has held up; aud the statistics today hold up for office market for North Olmsted. He maintained that the 12% (vacancy rate stated by Mr. Skoulis) took into account only for the class "A" office buildings, the 22% (they quoted) included class "A" through "D". He suggested that no one had to believe them, they could study other reports and studies that will uphold what they have said. Mr. Coyne, attorney for the developer, stated that it would only be fair for them to be able to respond to the questions and statements made this evening by both the board and the residents including some of the statistic mentioned by the residents which they disagree with. He would also like to respond to the statements made by the Law Director that this would not hold up in court if it were challenged. He offered to go out and meet with his clients, and come back later to respond to the above, even if it is almost midnight. Mr. Brennan asked if they could make their rebuttal to full council. Mr. Coyne responded that it would be unfair to take action at this point if they were not given an opportunity fo respond, since a lot. of comments were made and he did not want them taken out of context, he was also concerned by the comments the clerk made that no member of council would support tlus. He stated that the comvussion is the plauving body for this community, and any ordinance that is drafted on tlus proposal should have the commission' s professional input. They will do it tonight if the commission prefers, but he believed that they needed a chance to respond and would like an opportunity to verify the information that were presented by the residents. He believed that the commission should be informed on both sides of the issue. Assistant Law Director Dubelko advised that this is a request for rezoning, the commission is a planving body, they do not have the authority to institute a zoniug change, that can only be done by legislation sponsored by a member of council or by the mayor. The planning commission has a function under the charter and ordinances to look at rezoning requests and determine, in their planning capacity, whether or not, it is good for the interest of the city; that is their duty. The purpose of the zouing laws are passed in order to protect residents and allow resideuts to live with commercial and industrial neighbors, however, he does not believe it is any more appropriate for the residents to put pressure on this body to rush to make a decisiou touight, anymore than it was to put pressure on Mr. Orlowski by Home Depot to sign a contract. The very nature of planning requires 13