05/22/2002 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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pointed out the main entrance to the building and referred to the floor plan. He indicated it is a well- built building and they will do extensive renovations to the interior. They will have new ceilings and wall material. They plan on having four repose rooms. He added that the current recital room will become a chapel. The office areas will continue to be office space. Mr. Grusenmeyer indicated they are creating an entrance in the front to give them a presence on Lorain Road. He commented that both entrances bring you in to the same lobby. They modified their site plan based on the Planning Commission recommendations. He mentioned the current driveway and referred to the diagram. He showed the board members where the parking will be. He indicated they land banked a few spaces so they can save three out of five large trees in the front. This allows them to straighten out the drive as well. He said there is heavy planting around the two main sides of the building. They will be adding small flowering plants, adding annuals, and a series of pine trees in the corners. He commented that there are few facilities that are better maintained than funeral homes. He discussed and pointed out other areas of landscaping. He said the site has a lot of mature growth but little color, so they are adding flowering trees. He said the Planning Commission recommended a brick wall in the back. He said there are practical difficulties with doing that. He mentioned the different elevation levels in the back. When homes were put in along the back, it created almost a four-foot difference on their site. He added they would be disturbing the root structure as well once they start to excavate for a brick wall. They would like to approach it differently. Mr. Lawrence pointed out they met with Councilman Limpert at the site last Friday. Mr. Limpert had contacted Dan Chambers a couple of times and called Mr. Lawrence's office. Mr. Lawrence mentioned that Planning Commission told them to work with the neighbors and see what can be worked out to make everyone happy. So, they have been trying to get meetings. He said that Mr. Maloney, a neighbor, will meet with them this Friday at 1:00 p.m. He had been out of town until this afternoon. Mr. Lawrence indicated Mr. Maloney seemed to be the one spearheading things at the Planning Commission meeting with his neighbors. It may not be enough but they are just trying to get the ball rolling. They walked the site with Councilman Limpert. Mr. Lawrence said the retaining wall is well into the residential properties. He pointed out on the diagram a very nice tree in that area. He said you just can't put a brick wall up without ripping out a lot of landscaping. They want to talk to the residents about it. He said the brick wall thing is like a China wall; it is not as though there are apartments back there separating the two. They want a softer look. He believes the hot button is the neighbors don't want lights on the houses. They are hoping to be able to sit with them and work with them and the councilman and get something that looks aesthetically nice and allows for the foliage to remain and be added to, and keeps the light from going across into homes. Mr. Grusenmeyer said the recommendation was to meet with the individuals and the councilman approached them after the Planning Commission meeting. He said the Commission would like a workable solution. Mr. Lawrence added that Mr. Limpert told them to go forward and meet with people and let them know what they had talked about. Mr. Zergott asked if they had met with the Forester yet. Mr. Lawrence indicated they had not. Mr. Zergott said that Planning Commission and the councilman still want a wall. He would like to follow through with their recommendations. He said the biggest reason for this is that fences fall apart. He said he agrees that funeral homes really do take care of their sites but he wants to honor the wishes of the people, the councilman, and the Planning Commission. He would refer it back to the Planning Commission. He asked if they had an engineering study done on the elevations on the southeast corner tree. Mr. Zergott said he believes the tree is raised and there would be a substantial grade change between the sidewalk and that tree. Therefore, he does not think they could save that one. He realizes they are adamant about saving trees. He said they might be able to give that tree a better chance by eliminating one of the parking spots. Mr. Grusenmeyer indicated they mentioned to Planning Commission the idea of land banking one or two more. He referred to the diagram. He said he told Planning Commission, and they did not seem to disagree, they could stake out the trees and have a landscaping architect come out and decide what they could do. Mr. Lawrence asked about the letter from Councilman George Nasher. He said there is confusion about who the councilman is for that area. They have not talked to Mr. Nasher. He said 2