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Ms Belaia asked if the sound wall was a concept or would it in fact be installed. Ms. Wenger <br />said the sound wall will be installed as part of the Crocker Stearns construction and in place by <br />the end of the project. Ms. Belaia asked to see the location of the walls along the west and east <br />side of the road. <br />Councilman Barker asked if the city will pursue developers to the plan. Ms. Wenger said that as <br />of June an economic development consultant was hired and one of their primary projects is to <br />assist the city in working on the corridor project. Thus far they are cataloging the parcels to <br />create a database of the area and performing marlceting analyses to get financial returns <br />pertaining to different land uses and in the near future will be conducting personal tours with <br />developers who may have a potential for this type of project. Councilman Barker said that the <br />sound wall was put in place over 14 years ago and some council members are for the wall and <br />some against but to try to change that now would cost the city thousands of dollars and that is <br />why conducting plans such as this will protect not only the residents of the area but the city as <br />well. The current plans to use landscaping along the wall will soften the walls image. <br />Ms. Woods said that she was generally happy with the construction and the speed at which it is <br />being completed is satisfactory. The construction worlcers have been polite and pleasant along <br />the road. Mr. Romanchik said he is all for the ivy along the wall but cautioned that planting fruit <br />trees would create a mess, maintenance issues and traffic hazards. Mr. Wahl expressed that the <br />county worlcers have been pleasant and they have not be inconvenienced at all. He voiced that <br />he is concerned that the name Stearns Road will disappear and asked if in fact the Stearns Road <br />would be changed as a Stearns founded the city. He asked if the zoning or development comes <br />first. Mr. O'Malley reviewed who had the authority to request rezoning of land and the process <br />of rezoning. The development and rezoning can happen simultaneously or independently. <br />Mayor O'Grady assured everyone the Stearns Road name would not be changed and in fact <br />would be expanded to the connection point up to Westlake. <br />Ms. Wenger said there was no land use tied to specific parcels there will be flexibility in the <br />plan. She cautioned that individual parcel owners should not look at the plan as that is what will <br />be as there could be modifications or adjustments to the plan. However the residents would be <br />informed of any rezoning to ensure they have an opportunity to participate in the development <br />procedures. Mr. Gudin said he is concerned that the time frame for the redevelopment is not <br />being disclosed and he did not receive notice of the meeting. Ms. Wenger said that timeframe is <br />based on the market conditions and developers interests so at this time a timeline can not be <br />forecasted. The city is trying to be in the best position possible to start work once an <br />opportunity arises. Mr. Percowski said that in the last three years he has been in his homes its <br />value has decreased. He suggested that the bank told him that if the land is rezoned it could no <br />longer be sold as it is used it could only be sold as zoned. Ms. Wenger advised that even if a lot <br />is. rezoned the owner can continue to use it sell it for the continued use. However the house <br />would be subj ect to nonconforming use regulations. <br />Mr. Kolenc said he personally had not been contacted to find out what he wanted and aslced <br />when the city was going to contact each owner personally to find out what they want. Mr. <br />O'Malley said that the city was not obliged to give personal notice as there are public notices <br />given i.e. web postings, cable notices and newspaper. The city has conducted community <br />outreach, meetings held and a steering committee to address the plan. However as a courtesy <br />the Planning & Design Commission went beyond the notice requirements and sent out flyers. <br />Not only was the property owner's along the corridor but any resident of North Olmsted was <br />given an opportunity to participate in prior meetings. Mayor O'Grady reminded everyone that <br />the corridor plan is a concept not a proj ect the city is trying to take the steps to find the <br />5