09/09/2003 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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• ?,. for a Use Variance. The property is not zoned for a car wash and the applicant whishes to appeal that ruling. The applicant is before the Planning Commission to receive a recommendation as to whether or not the Board of Zoning Appeals should grant the Use Variance. Applicants presentation: Mr. Slegter the Berg family's attorney came forward to review the request. The Berg family would like to purchase the parcels and build a family car wash facility. He reviewed that the current owners Mr. & Mrs. Kusik, the realtor Mr. Bozeman and the entire Berg family were present to answer questions. Mr. Slegter indicated that they were present to address an unusual procedure most cities do not want to see use variances requested. However, unlike rezoning the parcel the use variance protects the area from being used as a reason to rezone abutting properties. They believe that their request warrants a use variance, as there are unusual hardships on this property due to the location, size, configuration, the use of the adjacent property, and the location to the O.D.O.T site relative to the property. The family requests that Planning Commission recommend Board of Zoning Appeals grant the use variance. He indicated that his clients met with the City and based on their recommendation the design of the building was changed and there will only be two wash bays instead of three. Mr. Fisher the architect came forward and reviewed that the property is pie shaped. Brookpark Road abuts the lot & I-480 (O.D.O.T) to the north, across the street to the west is a church or meeting hall, and to the south is an assisted living facility. The car wash will be a laser wash facility with two bays. The entrance will be off Clauge Road, with a stacking lane able to accommodate one car every 7 to 10 minutes. Past experience has shown that traffic does not back up more than 5 cars and the proposed stacking lane will hold up to 10 cars. The proposed building will be brick, look residential in nature, and have a friendly street presence. As many trees as possible will remain on the site. The lot size is 167-feet across the front and 414-feet back to the furthest point on two sides. The existing lights along the assisted living driveway adversely affect the use of this lot, as there is a high volume of spill over. The lot, which is now zoned multi-family, can not be developed following the current setback requirements of North Olmsted codes. When the cars are in the bay the headlights will point away from the abutting residential properties. The lot will be maintained and the Berg family although the car wash is self serve will be present to oversee the day to day operations. Board Members Comments: Mr. Koeth indicated that there are current homes on that street and one is right across the street from this lot. Mrs. Hoff-Smith requested the applicant's address how the neighboring residents would be effected by the car wash. Mr. Fisher suggested that the car wash would appear residential in nature, improve the appearance of the area, and not adversely affect the existing residents. Mr. Spalding questioned if the hours of operation would be 24 hours a day 7 days a week and if there would be an attendant at the site. Mr. Fisher suggested that it could be and this type of car wash does not require an attendant present. However, it is the family's intention of having someone at the attached office daily. Mr. Koeth questioned the amount of noises from the machinery used. Mr. Fisher suggested that the highway traffic is louder than the machines. There are no brushes or rollers used it is a laser carwash which reads the car configuration and sprays the soap on the car then rinses the car and then blow-dries the car as it pulls out of the bay. The blowers used blow into the building to dry the cars as they leave. Mr. Spalding questioned were the nearest matching car wash was located. Mr. Fisher suggested that the nearest laser car wash was located at Lorain Road and 210`t' street. Mr. Berg indicated that the Berg family members are residents of North Olmsted and their intention is to enhance the appearance of the corner as everyone entering and leaving North Olmsted sees it. His parents, in-laws, as well as other close relatives are retired and intend on working at the site to great and maintain the site. The purpose of the car wash is to give the family the opportunity to run a low maintenance facility in their retirement years. The cost of the car wash including the property will be one million dollars. Mr. Koeth reviewed that there would be two curb cuts on the site one for entrance and one for exiting cars. He questioned what the hours of 5