09/18/1996 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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coming off of Root towards Lorain Road. Mr. Conway explained the neighbors may voice their opinion about the Root Itoad access at the planning commission meeting, as this board is mearly here to evaluate the aesthetics. One of the neighbors pointed out that this had been before plauning previously, and one of the stipulations at that time was that the green area would be maintained as was already in existence. Mr. Conway presented the previous plan and stated the property owner has the right to develop the property and plauving commission will address the Root Road access. It was stated numerous times this board is only here to evaluate the aesthetics. Mr. Calmer indicated the building has been enlarged and thus the aesthetics increased. 1V1r. Yager stated, as long as a proposal is within city regulations, this board cannot force any reductions. The neighbors felt the buffers were too small. Mr. Conway indicated that the code requires at least 15 feet and this proposal exceeds that requirement. In response to the neighbor's question, Mr. Stitz stated that the reason for the Root Road access is for traffic circulation and truck deliveries. The neighbors suggested combining the Lorain Road Drive with the neighboring Oliger property, eliminating the Root Road access and increasing the buffer zone. The members pointed out that the Oliger parcel is privately owned property and we cannot suggest combiniug the drives. The neighbors felt that the commercial zonage is increasing by the day and if this continues North Olmsted will be all commerciaL Mr. Gallagher clarified Lorain Road has been commercial for quite a while, and the owner has a right to develop the property as it is zoned. Mr. Liggett believed the Root Road access could be reduced to a single lane. Mr. Stitz felt the drive would have to be larger to accommodate a fire truck. Mr. Conway stated tlus issue can be reviewed by the fire department. Mr. Yager explained that it is possible to create a fire drive with stone on the bottom, but grass on the top. Mr. Conway noted this can be made as a recommendation to plauning commission. Chairman Zergott asked that everyone speak one at a time, as much of the conversation was inaudible. One of the neighbors wondered how the city is tiying to improve the situation as much of tlus property will be asphalt which is not aesthetically pleasiug. Mr. Conway clarified the city has made progress over the last several years, for example there must be a fifteen foot buffer zone on the rear of the property and at one time no buffer zone was required. One of the residents believed the city forced La-Z-Boy to move because of lack of parking. It was clarified the city canuot force anyone to move. Many of the resident's concerns were uot this boards jurisdiction, and they were infomled to voice those concerns at plamuug commission. Mr. Zergott explained that he never received a landscape design for this site. Mr. Conway explained this proposal would go to board of zoning appeals for the width of the driveway. Mr. Yager believed that tlus La-Z-Boy building is more aesthetically pleasing then a Loug John Silvers and B.P. Car Wash. Mr. Zergott explained there was a much better landscape desigu on the previous proposal and asked that Mr. Stitz incorporate those ideas into a bigger scale for this particular proposal. Mr. Yager would like a conaplete landscape design presented for all new proposals as several of the proposals iu the past were independently reviewed. Mr. Conway noted each applicant is curreutly given a written copy of the requirements and explained that he and Mr. Zergott are working on a savsple package. Mr. Yager motioned to accept the plans as submitted with the following comments: Lighting- pole heigluts 18 feet and a consistent light source tecluuque meaning either metal halide or sodium. Site Plan issues- remove Root Road entrance and resubmit a detailed landscape drawing for Mr. Zergott's review.