10/28/2003 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Barnett from Linden Drive is concerned about buildings "C" and "D", being three stories. They currently have privacy problems with the existing condominiums on the south side of Brookpark Road. He would like a site study conducted to have an idea of what the site line to the resident's backyards and homes will be. They are exposed to the high rise condominiums along the south side of Brookpark Road and experience lewd comments now. The proposed buildings will be even closer and our homes will be exposed even further. Mr. Lipcsey from Mitchell Drive reiterated that it was very important to make sure everything the applicant promises is submitted in writing. The current plans do not include detailed landscaping plans, photometric plans, or complete elevation plans. These are needed to really understand what their intentions are for this site. Mr. Skoulis requested Mr. Berryhill address the resident's questions. Applicants response: Mr. Berryhill reviewed that the rental prices of the apartments will be between $850.00 to $1,300.00 a month. The apartments will be a loss to them they know that they will be subsidized by the retail on the site. They fill that they can fill the 100 units easily with employees of the retail shops. The possible tenants that they have spoken with are William Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Birkenstock Sandals, Carmon Mitchell Restaurants, Bravo Restaurant, Star Bucks they are talking to Boarders and Barns & Noble to lease the entire first floor of building "B". They believe that Lakewood will not achieve their rezoning. This area is a super regional mall area, which the clientele they are looking for gravitate to super regional mall areas such as this. However, they can not get commitments from this type of clientele until they know the project will be approved. Mrs. Hoff-Smith inquired as to what the leasing terms would be. Mr. Berryhill suggested that the average lease is 5-years but they try to get a 10-year lease. Apartment leases are 6-month to 1-year. If the apartments do not work they can easily be converted into a condominium complex and sold off. The chances of having second floor retail would be very remote they do not feel second floor retail would work. "NOTE DUE TO A TECHIaTICAL ElaROR THE NEXT SECTION OF THE MCINUTES ARE TAKEN FROM THE CLERKS NOTES ONLY" 1VIrs. Seman requested the applicants' use the three outer buildings as Office-B-Type Use as other cities have. The City is currently in a financial mess and retail does not generate enough tax dollars to properly run the city. Mr. Berryhill suggested that he understood the issue of tax revenue however there are currently two office buildings within North Olmsted and both of their abatements end in 2004 so the city will see an increase in tax revenues. Mr. Nieberding from Mitchell Drive felt that North Olmsted would not draw the type of tenants the applicants are suggesting. The current area is not conducive to the market that is being shoved at us. He is concerned that with such high-end stores the residents of North Olmsted would not be able to afford what the stores have to offer. Mr. Koeth reminded the neighbors it was they who requested an upscale development and an upscale area would draw clientele not only from North Olmsted but from other communities as well. Councilman Miller remind everyone that it was Carnegie Management who brought Water Tower Square to the city and assured all the residents that they would only bring in upscale tenants to the site and never combine the small shops. Carnegie even signed a written agreement stating they would never combine the stores and as you can see that is exactly what they did. The Law Department had no choice but to rule that as the promises were not made or written on a deed restriction the city could not kept them from combining the spaces. Therefore, he strongly advises each committee request all promises spelled out in writing on a deed restriction. The residential space requirements must be spelled out on a deed restriction to make sure they can never be changed to another use. 7