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library, church or other needed facilities everyone wants but not in their neighborhood. That <br />is why the city has to look at what is best for the entire city not just a select group. <br />Mr. Bohlmann noted that even if the zoning was voted by the people first it would still be <br />required to go before the commissions for review and changes could be requested. Mrs. <br />Meredith said to pass a rezoning plan there would have to be a lot of details provided and once <br />approved by the voters it would be hard to require modifications or additional improvements <br />beyond what city codes require as the city would no longer have leverage. The plan has been <br />reviewed by the commissions for almost a year and the outcome has completely redesigned <br />the plan and made it fit into the neighborhood and preserves a historical home. Now it is up to <br />council to decide whether the site should be rezoned and the residents will again have an <br />opportunity to be heard as council addresses the project. Mr. Bohlmann said he's not sure the <br />ordinance is the answer but it is a start in the right direction to ensure residents are protected. <br />Ms. Wenger said that the cluster district codes require a developer to receive development <br />approval first and then the property is rezoned. That way, the city knows what to expect in <br />terms of density, architectural appearance, landscaping, buffering and lighting. The ordinance <br />talces away leverage from the city to control the outcome of the development. Mr. Malone <br />said once land is zoned the developer has the right to build it out as it is zoned to its fullest <br />extent. <br />Mrs. Meredith said no commissioner has a self interest in any project which goes before the <br />cominission. She reviews all cases as to how it will affect the entire city not just a specific <br />area. Mr. Bohlmann said he agreed that no commissioner reviewed cases other than what was <br />best for the residents and the city. Mr. Cotner said that the residents have voiced their <br />comments so why not let the vote go to the people. Ms. Williamson is concerned that if the <br />ordinance passes it will open all rezoning issues to being on a ballot and will adversely impact <br />the city. Officials are elected to represent the residents and the best interests of the city. <br />Mr. Lasko said that the springboard for the ordinance was Biddulph Trail, and that legislation <br />is often created in response to one project. However the ordinance has to be looked at outside <br />the springboard reaction and how it will affect the entire city. No commissioner has a hidden <br />agenda or has it in for any group of residents of any area within the city. The commission tries <br />to. balance the concerns of the residents of any given area with the needs and concerns of the <br />community as a whole. The city runs into a problem when the needs of the people are just the <br />needs of a small segment versus the needs of the community. The definition of "by the people <br />for the people" is a broader definition than a specific subsection which may be affected by one <br />particular item. There has to be a balance and the Biddulph project had multiple changes <br />which vastly improved upon what was first submitted. There is a constant balance of the <br />needs of a few versus balancing the needs of the many even when reviewing ordinances. Will <br />the proposed ordinance which provides ward veto serve the best possible needs of not only the <br />few but the needs of the many? On the basis of the information that has been presented and <br />looking at the needs of many, he doesn't feel the ordinance is best for the city as a whole. The <br />ordinance denies the need for additional vitality and redevelopment for the community. The <br />type of housing which the residential cluster district would otherwise provide will not be <br />available and will hinder residents from moving into or staying in North Olmsted as their <br />housing selection will be limited. The ordinance as written will have a chilling affect and <br />create the lilcelihood of developers loolcing outside of North Olmsted. Therefore the ordinance <br />would not serve the needs of the whole community. <br />3