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Other Considerations As a professional consulting planner, I recognize that many more considerations may be taken into account when a community decides a matter such as this. Some of the additional considerations in this case may include the following: As a super regional center, Great Northern Mall is a unique type of commercial property within the City of North Olmsted. Indeed, it is unique within the region as a result of its size, location, mix of uses, and regional market draw. For this reason, the local zoning regulations which may be appropriate for the many smaller commercial properties of the City may not always be appropriate in the Mall. On the basis of sound information, variances (and perhaps in the future, amended paxking regulations) are appropriate. • As noted earlier in this document, the environmental impacts of parking aze significant. Many communities are now re-evaluating their parking requirements and seeking ways to reduce the amount of required paved area. • The existing Mall parking lot'provides 5,399 parking spaces for a parking ratio of 6,01/1,000 square.feet of GLA. To even provide 6.5/1,000 of GLA, an additiona1430 spaces would be required on an additional 3.5-4.0 acres of pavement. At a parking ratio of 6.5/1000 GLA, the proposed expansion would require an additional . 2,208 spaces, or roughly 18 acres of new pavement. This amount of additional parkina is clearly impractical on this property. • Credit should be given to the experience of the Ma11 owners and their la.rger tenants who wi11 affect (in their leases or purchase agreements) and will be affected by (in the number of customers they are able to attract) the amount and layout of paxking in this shopping center. They are making immense investments whose ultimate profitability depend on the adequacy of parking. It is improbable that they would propose a parking plan which would not adequately meet the needs of the customers on whom they depend. The proposed new development will create significant economic benefits for the community in terms of tax base and jobs. Conclusion Based on the information discussed above, it is my opinion that the City of North Olmsted should pemut the proposed expansion of Great Northern Mall while providing a parking ratio of 4.5 spaces per 1,000 s.f. GLA consistent with the recent industry report. This parking ratio is a reasonable.requirement which will satisfy the parking demand at the Mall over most days of the yeaz. ' Page 6 of 6