09/19/2002 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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? Y'. • a now. When the improvements were brought forward a year or so ago to put the roof material over the garden center, Council was hesitant to approve it. They were under the impression that this very issue with the trailers would be alleviated. They thought they were getting a better situation than trailers parked outside. They weren't excited about the color and Wal-Mart did cooperate in changing some of that but they were hesitant about how it would look. They did feel it was an improvement over the trailers and it was approved. Every year Wal-Mart has continued to place garden type items outside and has even put in a drive through lane of those products and sold them out of the parking lot. They have gone from the front of the store into the parking lot and it is a continual problem. It negatively affects the residents and businesses nearby. There are at least two long-term stay hotels that are across the street that have a view of these trailers. That was addressed when the improvements to the outdoor garden area came through. He said Council was sensitive to what the wall would look like and what the neighbors would be seeing. They did not anticipate trailers. The city has an industrial section that is underdeveloped that can support a warehouse and they would invite Wal-Mart to consider that as an answer to the problem. Lacking that, there are plenty of areas near the interstate, near the turnpike exit in North Ridgeville, where they can store trailers and move them in on an as needed basis rather than dumping and imposing on our residents and businesses. They would encourage Wal-Mart to look at those alternatives and clean up their act on the other issues. He added that Council would be a bit more receptive to their dilemmas that come up from time to tiine. They can't keep asking for more when the city is already giving a lot. Mr. Simms said he has learned a lot at this meeting. For example, he did not realize the vending machines could not be outside. Mr. Miller said there was an agreement by Wal-Mart that they would not put any vending machines outside. The only outdoor sales would be a few seasonal items up close in the bay area near the garden center. Mr. Engoglia said they don't want to go to Council and tell them they should pass legislation that every trailer that is out there should be fined $100 a day. The board does not want to do that, but if forced to, they will. Mr. O'Malley said that the inspection of the site revealed that trailers are already there. He asked if they are designed to be permanently installed trailers. Mr. Engoglia said there is no cab on them. They are trailers that sit out at the site. Mr. Simms said the ones on the side of the building are the ones that sit on the around. Mr. Rymarczyk asked if the trailers wi11 be jockeyed around or if they will stay there for the holidays. Mr. Simms indicated they would stay there for the holidays and he has already moved Christmas merchandise to the trailers. Mr. Engoglia asked for Mr. O'Malley's input on the matter. He said they need to stop this. Mr. O'Malley asked how often the board convenes. Mr. Engoglia said they can convene any time and would meet any time it is convenient for Council and Mr. Simms. Mr. O'Malley recommended that the board table the matter and reconvene at the next regularly scheduled meeting, if that is soon enough. It might give the applicant the time to address the number of issued that were raised. They might consider the immediate removal of the trailers that are not properly stored on the property as a siDn of good faith. He might solicit some back up from the real estate and leaal divisions of his corporation to demonstrate where they stand with any proposed expansion. He might attempt to address the number of issues that were raised, the screening, the alternatives to these trailers that the councilmen suggested. Mr. Puzzitiello said the suggestion to park the trailers in an industrial area is very important. The trailers can be brought in as needed and then be returned to the area. Mr. Simms asked for clarification on where the industrial area is. Mr. Engoglia pointed out it is the western section of North Olmsted. Mr. Engoglia thanked the council members for their input. He informed Mr. Simms that the board has an obligation to the community. Mr. Simms indicated he understands that and said he will get all the parties involved to help him with this. Mr. Engoglia asked if he could have something ready in time for the next meeting. Mr. Simms indicated he could do that. Mr. Engoglia asked if the councilmen would be willing to attend the next meeting. They indicated they could attend. Mr. Rymarczyk informed the board that the industrial area is not for the storage of trailers. It is not a permitted use according to the zoning code. They would have to find another location for that. Mr. Engoglia said they could give them a temporary variance until they put their building up. Mr. Rymarczyk said the Board of Zoning Appeals would have to do that. Mr. Conway asked if there is another place in North Olmsted where they could put trailers. Mr. Rymarczyk said he is not aware of one. Mr. Conway 3