11/04/1998 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 11/4/98 months, there will be a determination made by this Council, through its BZD Committee "~'~ and consultation with other individuals or organizations, as to how that particular area of North Olmsted should grow. He noted that at the October 20~' Council meeting, the proposed Kia dealership, which is across the street from the site, was discussed with the idea of giving consideration to the historical nature of the neighborhood. It is not something that was simply brought up on the spur-of--the-moment as indicated by a previous speaker. It is something that was contemplated and thought about and is something to which adequate time will be given to hear input from Council members as well as residents and property owners. Mr. Haas said his family found out about the moratorium by accident. The property has been under contract for a while and, if a moratorium is authorized, they will lose the deal and their profit along with the other owners. Mr. Haas, who has lived in the city for approximately 30 years, does not see any real historical significance for any of the buildings in the area which at one time was the "downtown" of North Olmsted. He does not feel the city should "manufacture" historical significance. Law Director Gareau noted that the library was once housed in one of the buildings. Although it is not a national archive, it is somewhat of an archive for North Olmsted. Once it is gone, it is gone. Mr. Haas said he understands that, but it is not the city's building-the city does not own it or pay the taxes on it. These buildings are not historical, they are just old. Law Director Gareau said that is the nature and the essence of historical preservation. Some people look at them as old, worthless buildings and they are owned by other people and they are within historical districts and they are controlled by municipal ordinances dealing with the preservation of historical landmarks. Obviously, this issue is not settled. It is simply a moratorium to determine what, if anything, the city wants to do with that entire area. What happens to this parcel could affect the entire area, for example, the buildings across the street. Mr. Haas said that the owners are the ones with the valid interest in this, not the rest of the city. He wondered how far the district would be extended. Law Director Gareau said it includes all of Butternut Ridge Road from Columbia to Lorain. The legal opinion that he has is that it is permissible to put a moratorium on this type of construction so that the city can then take, in a reasonable time, action to determine what, if anything, needs to be done to preserve these historical landmarks. Councilman O'Grady said he was concerned about the impact this would have on Mr. Haas and the other residents. He asked exactly what they will lose if they are forced to wait up to six months. Mr. Haas said they would lose a substantial contract and profit on the property. The contract for sale has been signed. It is his understanding that other owners also have contracts. The time limits in the contract do not allow for a moratorium. The contract will not be concluded until the buyer has reached a certain point in arrangements with the city as to what can be built and how it can be built. If none of this comes about, the deal is over and profit is lost. Burt Haas, 27131 Newton Circle. Mr. Haas and his father are the owners of the subject building that was first purchase about 12 years ago. At the time of purchase, they wanted to be aware of the historical aspects of the building and contacted City Hall. They were told that the building was not in a historical district, and it was suggested that maybe they ought to tear the building down and redo the whole area. They are businessmen and bought the building as an investment and have put a lot of time and effort into it with the ~.. hope of someday making a profit. As far as they are concerned, people who have no 6