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Memo to North Olmsted BZD and Giant Eagle -December 7, 1998
<br />1. If Giant Eagle Representatives are here, please note, f spoke with Shelly Sponholz
<br />only once, to ask if she knew of residents' opposition to their store on this site. She
<br />said she was unaware of problems. f then mailed a fetter to John Lucot, with copies to
<br />Ms. Sponholz and Mr. Shapira, with questions, to which 1 received no reply. I would
<br />like to pose questions to the Giant Eagle Representative(s):
<br />1. Porter Rd. is a narrow, winding, completely residential street. Our children cross ft
<br />daily to play with friends, which becomes more difficult with increased traffic. In 1994,
<br />there was discussion of roadwork to accommodate Water Tower Square. Mayor Boyle
<br />assured me that any roadwork would be unintrusive. In 1996, the city wanted afour-
<br />lane intersection in front of my house at Porter and Mill Roads. That is not unintrusive.
<br />,4fter many meetings, the city opted for athree-lane intersection. I invite you to North
<br />Park Drive, to turn north onto Porter Road, and see how long it takes and how safe you
<br />feel. I am horrified at the thought that if your huge store goes onto this site, the city may
<br />come back in a few years and try to put afour-lane intersection in front of my house, to
<br />accommodate your store. Can you guarantee me that this will not hoen? If you
<br />can't, (ease reconsider the location, as that would ruin my neighborhood.
<br />2. Waf-Mart had a "legal" right to build on that site. But, in the words of Law Director
<br />Mike Gareau to me, "The city convinced them it would not be a good idea." Mayor
<br />Musial wanted to speak with you to discuss improving your current location -- what
<br />would it take for you to remain there? Ms. Sponholz told me the parking was poor and
<br />there was no room to expand. Our city could assist Hollywood Video in relocating to
<br />any of the many nearby vacant properties, making more room for you. Many stores on
<br />that strip have moved in and out in past years. What options have you explored?
<br />3. Your current North Olmsted location Pies between three main roadways. Lorain Rd.;
<br />Brookpark Rd., and Great Northern Blvd. all have four lanes plus a fifth turning lane. It
<br />is also next to a freeway entrance, and there are lots of traffic lights on those streets for
<br />shoppers entering and exiting. Our neighborhood has only Lorain Road as a main
<br />thoroughfare. Dover Center and Mifl Roads are both residential with only two lanes
<br />plus a turning lane. Porter Rd. is a winding, two-lane, residential street. And your new
<br />store plans to be 95,000 sq.ft., 11"3 larger than the Great Northern store at 59,000 sq.ft..
<br />It would seem to me that you are only asking for trouble and future improvements by
<br />jamming the store onto this site. Why not take advantage of the excellent North
<br />Olmsted location you already have and improve on it? Please reply.
<br />4. This is directed mainly to Carnegie Management. Mr. Pappandreas, this might
<br />shed some light on why some residents question you. In 1994, after a!I the trouble
<br />with Wal-Mart, only a handful of residents continued coming to meetings to insure that
<br />whatever went into Water Tower Square would be appropriate for the site. As
<br />recorded in the minutes of one meeting, you promised them low volume, category
<br />retailing. With 95,000 sq.ft., just 5,000 sq.ft. short of the superstore ordinance, l would
<br />not term this Giant Eagfe either low volume or category retailing. I have been in both
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