2/3/2020 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mr. Markowitz said a used car lot was previously approved for the lot. He believed the storage facility would be a better use for the space and a new restaurant would be built at the front of the lot. Stein Investment specializes in redeveloping sites similar to this and he submitted photos showing similar projects. The strip of land from Dover Center Road will be turned into a driveway with some green space. Mr. Linscott said Stein Investment is a family real estate company based in Atlanta that focuses on restaurants, self -storage and retail facilities. The self - storage building will be indoors and climate -controlled with architecture to fit in with the surrounding area. The existing box would not be seen with the building expansion plus the new restaurant is built in front of it. The facility will not require much parking, providing an opportunity for another use on the property. The extra use would have a patio and proximity to Lorain Road. About 12,000 square feet of pervious area will be installed along the Dover Center Road driveway and in the parking area. The setback and buffer variances are requested due to existing conditions. The whole site is elevated on a retaining wall and there is not much room to accommodate the required buffer so the pervious surface was incorporated elsewhere on the property. He submitted photos of the existing conditions, corresponding to the map submitted. Currently, car dealerships are next to and behind the property. Ms. Lieber explained the challenge of repurposing large existing retail spaces. The property was rezoned in 2017 for mixed-use but no interest has been shown in such a project. The proposed use will not create a burden on traffic and is served by traffic lights and entrances on two commercial roads. The existing building and required parking associated with that size building would make conformance nearly impossible. The existing yard setbacks are non -conforming and not ideal, but there are grade changes to consider and boundaries are commercial to commercial. Because the applicant landbanked some parking and is adding some pervious space, she recommended approval of the variances. Mr. Papotto asked about the parking calculation since the restaurant plan has not been finalized, Ms. Lieber said the largest parking count was included in the calculation. Mr. Papotto asked if signage for the project would be coming back before BZBA, Ms. Lieber thought it is likely to come back. Mr. Mackey asked about customers storing incendiaries or other dangerous goods. Mr. Linscott said they have had not had issues with that but the facilities are monitored. Mr. Markowitz said using the existing building as a storage building is a way to redevelop the property without demolishing the building. The applicants would be able to add onto the building and build another building without affecting traffic and the surrounding areas while increasing green space on the property. Mr. Mackey thought the proposed building along Lorain Road is advantageous to the city. Mr. Rahm liked the proposal for the site and thought it would benefit the area. Ms. Patton said having a building in line with the surrounding buildings will be nice. Mr. Allain thought the applicants substantiated their case for setbacks since the neighbors are commercial, Mr. Papotto agreed. Mr. Papotto moved, seconded by Mr. Mackey, to approve the following variances for 19- 15717; Self Storage; 27048 Lorain Road: 1. A use variance for a self -storage facility in the B-4 Mixed-use District; code does not permit, Table 1139.03-1. 2. A 33.9% variance for maximum impervious surface; code permits 50% in the B-4 Mixed-use District, applicant shows 83.9%, Table 1139.04-2.