02/11/1997 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Olmsted resident, almost eight times the national average. Based on these figures, she believed that North Olmsted has reached the saturation point of retail space, and should never rezone any more land to retail space just so someone can make more money. She explained that a neighbor drove around the city and wrote down the addresses of 43 empty stores at Christma.s, the busiest time of the retail season. According to Crain's Cleveland Business, the retail vacancy rate climbed from 7% to 9% when U. S. Merchandise, Best Products, and Handy Andy closed their doors. She questioned if a"big box" comes in, how many other stores will go out of business and aLso questioned what would happen if a big box went out of business. When these representatives mentioned that they could not justify office building on this parcel, she remembered that one month after the Westlake denied rezoning for the Promenade, another developer planned to build a large office building on Crocker Road across from the property that was to be rezoned. Mr. Gable, who developed River Terrace Office Building in Rocky River, stated that once his building went up, several more followed. He was quoted as saying "If you build it, they will come". She asked that the commission remember the numbers she has quoted and stated that enough is enough. Mr. Coyne, attorney, asked for a point of order and stated that the reason they assembled this team of two of the best city planners in northeast Ohio and the best property economist in Ohio was to answer questions frankly, that the commission and citizens had raised at the last meeting, a lot of which were very good questions. At the end of the last meeting the members were ready to take a vote, when he asked them not to rush to judgment, to keep an open mind, and give them an opportunity to respond to the comments, questions, and criticisms that were made. So that is why they were back here today, they copied the Wall Street Journal article after they heard it at the last meeting, but they heard it again it tonight. They heard the Crain's article at the last meeting, it was heard again. He wants to understand where this is going. They have experts to answer questions from both the commission and the audience. that what they were here for, but if everything that was presented at the last meeting is going to be, reiterated (The members of the audience objected to these statements). Chairman Tallon asked to give everyone'-the courtesy to speak, and he would take care of it. Mr. Coyne stated that tliis is more of a question, he is not saying not to speak, he was telling what was the understanding at the last meeting. His client pays taxes too. They had been given a clear dictate from the commission to respond to the questions that were made previously, and they have had no give or take as to what had been given this ., evening and they had listened to their comments at the last meeting. They are here for the give and take, and ifthe residents want to come up and repeat what was said at the last meeting, that is fine, but that is not what he understood was why they were here tonight. - Mr. Tallon responded that number one: at any meeting there is always auaience participation, and that participation is governed by what takes place at -this meeting. They had their time, they got their commercials in and now it is time for the residents to answer and ask questions again. The board will take into consideration all that is being. said tonight, from tlieir experts and from the city. But.under no circumstances will the commission curtail anyone from speaking .at the microphone and under no circumstances will they be d.irected as to how to speak and how to talk here; if their intent is to direct the commission in a direction that we do not want to go. Mr. Coyne stated that this was not his intent, it was a question. The commission almost took a vote at the last meeting, which is fine, and they are here to answer any questions. Mr. Tallon stated that the commission is hear to listen, and they are going to do that. Mr. Skoulis (President of the Park West Homeowners' Association), clarified that what. was asked bi Mr. Coyne at the last meeting when he did not want the commission to vote, was that they wanted a 6