05/27/2003 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Applicants Response: Mr. Harrison implied that the reason for expanding the garden center is to bring the garden items within the area of the garden center in off the sidewalk. There are 6-trailers on the site for the remodeling only. The manager Paul Franz is present and can address any other operational issues for the board. Mr. Spalding questioned the topic of the mounds settling and inquired if the store had made any effort to fix it. Mr. Franz suggested that he was not aware the wall had settled. Continued Comments of Audience: Mr. Poffengerger commented that he does not have a problem with the garden center, his problem is they need to be better neighbors. There are blue bags all over the place including his trees. He and his son have had to climb the trees to get bags. They have been in his pool, gutters, yard and the reason he knows they are from Wal Mart is that they say Wal Mart on the bags. He suggested that he has sent in video he has taken to the Mayor showing the bags all over up and down Brookpark Road. Before the city helps them out any more they need to clean up their messes. 10'Irs. Diver voiced that she has had blue bags in her yard as well and she lives beyond Parcel-E property. The trailers are an on going problem with Wal Mart. One of her relatives works for Wal Mart in another state and when they were home visiting they commented that our Wal Mart did not have as many trailers as theirs. The relative stated that they have at least 50 at all times at their store. The trailers are not just for the construction period it is on going and should be cleaned up. Councilman Miller questioned if Mr. Harrison was guaranteeing that if the garden center is expanded there would no longer be outdoor sales. He commented that Mr. Harrison stated "our hope it that", and having dealt with Wal Mart over the years that is not a good sign. The city needs to pin Wal Mart down exactly on their commitments. He is surprised Mr. Franz is present as it was Franz who he approached after one of the managers promised the trailers would be gone in one week and two weeks later they were still there. When he questioned Mr. Franz about when they would have the illegal trailers removed, he said "yea" in a month or so. Wal Mart is willing to make promises but not willing to keep them, so the city needs to make sure their track record is aired. Mr. Harrison suggested his comments regarding the garden center refer to the items that are presently out right now "only". There are several iteins lining the front area and along the side and to bring those items in, is the purpose of the garden center. The other items that are out there now he can not speak for. 1VIr. Hreha requested whoever could answer for the other items come forward to speak. Mr. Franz suggested that Wal Mart has been in North Olmsted now for 8 year and it has grown tremendously. There have been trailers in the back in the past and since then, they have rented a warehouse near the airport and keeping most of their excess in the warehouse. The trailers that are presently there will be removed July 8, 2003 and will not return. In the past, Wal Mart has not been a good neighbor but the Safety Director has advised us of a tool that would pick up the bags easily. Wal Mart will do a better job. Mr. Hreha questioned if Mr. Franz was guaranteeing there would never be any more trailers on the site after July 8, 2003. Mr. Franz stated "That is correct not one". He suggested the first of 7une they would have the tool to clean the bags up. Mrs. O'Iaourke questioned if anyone had addressed the east wall. Mr. Franz indicated that he removed a tree and he would have the wall looked at. Mrs. O'Rourke advised Mr. Franz for safety reasons the wall better be addressed. She also questioned when they would be placing trash containers in the parking lot. IVIr. Franz assured the board that the wall would be addressed and trash containers would be placed in the parking lot. Mr. Hreha reviewed that residents as well as two Councilmen have come forward to voice their frustrations with the lack of cooperation Wal Mart has shown. Mr. Franz assured the board that he was present to mend the fence and work on being a good neighbor. He can not fix everything overnight but he has met with the Mayor and they are working as fast as they can. Mrs. Hoff-Smith requested guidance from the Assistant Law Director. Law Department Comments: 9