04/04/2000 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 4/4/2000 that area. Mayor Musial said there are some activities being conducted in terms of ,h,,, financial reviews and engineering studies to consider a storage facility on that land. Mrs. Szabo said she felt that could be fought when they try to put that in. Right now, she and her neighbors are fighting this. Law Director Gareau said mini-storage facilities are generally located in commercial areas. A number of years ago, he ruled that it was more appropriate to be in general retail. It is possible that a case could be made for having it in an industrial area and the code could be changed. He is not troubled by the fact that somebody wants to use the land for that. Mrs. Szabo said there should be a way to stop it. She does not understand why the residents have to keep coming back about this issue and does not understand why the area has to be disrupted so often. Mrs. Szabo is concerned about properties being taken by eminent domain. Mayor Musial said she was moving ahead too quickly. If the city purchases the land, it is an investment in the community for the benefit of the residents. In his opinion, that is necessary and important. Mr. O'Grady said it is always frightening when there is some change going on near your home. The reality of the situation is that a property owner is looking to sell that property. Who would Mrs. Szabo prefer to purchase it--the city or a light industry company? Would she prefer green space or a factory across the street from her home? Mrs. Szabo said green space, if possible, but there are factories there already. She questioned how anything could be built on the property as it has a 13 foot slope. Mr. O'Grady said these are questions that could best be addressed during the committee meeting, which Mrs. Szabo and her neighbors are welcome to attend. Mr. Gareau asked Mayor Musial where Mrs. Szabo could get a copy of long-range plan for recreational needs to which he had referred. Mayor Musial said the plan is in existence by virtue of a pure definition. From his point of view, it is necessary to gather as much green space as possible in the City of North Olmsted. Mr. Gareau said he was concerned that this is an expensive proposition--$300,000 for a piece of land when we do not have the money to spend. These issues will be flushed out in committee, but he did want to take the opportunity to broach these matters in the very beginning. As to the municipal purpose that was referred to, in the past it was a ball diamond that was talked about. In the past, the Mayor and Mr. O'Grady made some statements which he thought were well received. In January, the Mayor cautioned him against "tunnel vision" by saying, "Any final judgment on the proposal would be withheld until the total picture is presented." Mr. O'Grady stated, "I would commend the Mayor and ask that he proceed and give this City Council as much information as we could get so that we can make as wise and informed decision as we can make." Since that conversation, he has not received any information from the Mayor. He does know that some members of Council received telephone calls, and others did not. As it stands right now, an ordinance is pending to purchase property and he has not seen a contract, there is no fund source, no map is attached and there is no projected cost to acquire other pieces of property in order to build a ball diamond. In January, the Mayor said he would never use eminent domain to acquire the property to build a ball diamond. There has been no timetable given to Council and there has been no consultation or communication formally with any member of Council to discuss this matter. He feels that should have been done before legislation was presented. President Saringer said she felt the Mayor should have contacted her before placing the legislation on first reading. Mayor Musial said it was not unusual to put ordinances on first reading +~ without consulting her. President Saringer responded that during an executive session