02/03/2005 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Suhayda the Architect, Mr. Kula KIA Manager, Mr. Halleen the Owner, Mr. Lang Landmarks Chairman, and the following neighbors Mr. Pacsuta, Mr. Hudak, Ms. Wright, Mr. Dalton, and Mr. Maxim each came forward to be sworn in and address the request. Applicant's presentation: Mr. Suhayda indicated that the current proposal is the final phase to the KIA project. The proposal includes an eleven thousand square foot addition added to the east side of the existing building. There will be site lighting and additional landscaping added along Lorain and Porter Road. The two new properties acquired will be used for the addition and car storage. There are two ground signs proposed for the site. Mr. Kremzar asked if the existing buildings on the two parcels would be demolished. Mrs. Diver questioned if the owner looked at using the existing buildings instead of demolishing them. Mr. Suhayda voiced that they could not use the existing buildings. They have had a few informal meetings with City Officials, as well as met with the Architectural Review Board twice to come up with a way to place the addition which would work for the owner and the City. The front of the addition will be an auto display, an expansion to the existing lounge, and new offices. The rear of the addition will be service bays which could not be housed in the existing building. The second floor will be offices and a conference room. Mr. Maloney stated that the board members received revised plans at the start of the meeting, which withdrew the following variances originally requested; #4 (12 foot variance for parking vehicles along Porter Road), 96 (variance for loading and unloading zone), #11 (3 foot variance for ground sign to close to right-of-way), and #12 (ground sign within the 35 foot triangle). The applicant no longer requires variances for those 4 issues. Therefore, they only require the 8 remaining variances listed. Prior to opening the floor to discussion, the chairman gave audience members and board members an opportunity to look at the new plans. Chairman of Landmarks: Mr. Lang reviewed that the applicant went before the Landmark Commission in the early part of 2004, for a letter of appropriateness to demolish the existing building known as Rebecca's Flower Shop: Landmarks denied the letter of appropriateness and worked for six months with the owners to try to find a way to save the building. However, based on the applicant's need for the site he chose to demolish the buildings. The applicant can now demolish the building without any further interference from Landmarks. The KIA proposal is scheduled to go before Landmarks on February 14, 2005 to review the proposed addition. He believes that the only concern Landmarks may have is the setback variance for Porter Road. At one of the informal meetings the applicants were asked to have green space along Lorain and Porter Roads. Mr. Kula stated they moved the building and placed landscaping in accordance to the Architectural Review Boards request. Mrs. Diver questioned if the addition would be built in accordance to the era of the existing building. Mr. Kula indicated that they will be using brick which will match the color of the CVS and new library. The second floor will have a residential appearance as well. The Architectural Review Board has given the proposed plans their final approval after many meetings. Mr. Lang stated that he did not want to hold up the applicant. He believed that the plans being presented were what Landmarks suggested. Residents comments: Mr. Pasuta indicated that the existing mound and fencing along Dewey Road does not shelter his home from the dealership. He questioned why the plans were changed from being a solid mound and straight fence as was approved. He is concerned that repositioning the existing northern mound further north closer to the residents and adding more light poles will only increase the 4