04/20/2004 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Public Hearing of 4/20/2004 property by purchasing legally, going down to the County Auditor and having the lot reconfigured and then coming back to the city and requesting the split-zoned lot be made one zone. Once the precedence is set, it's very difficult to onset it. That's his big concern, that the commercial zone will make zoning ineffective in North Olmsted. Tom Ondreko, 4435 Root Road, said the zoning laws were written to maintain a balance between commercial and residential property in North Olmsted. Passing this amendment will upset that balance. There are people that will say this is a one-time exception, but it will set a precedent that is like removing a section of fence and expecting the animals to stay in the corral. There will be the battle cry that the increased tax base will benefit the city. If that strategy were working, then we would not have schools in need of funding for repairs and programs while we sit in the top 26 highest taxes out of the $1 districts in Cuyahoga County and top 42 out of 113 taxing municipalities for which RITA collects. There are plenty of vacant spaces in the city that are zoned for this purpose, and it is not necessary to seize residential property. He respectfully requested that Council uphold their oaths of office and follow the will of the people they represent by voting against this amendment. Les Polgar, 4564 West Ranchview, expressed concern about aesthetics. He thinks that North Olmsted has been rather weak in either developing or preserving what aesthetic value there is along Lorain Road and in much of the commercial district of the city. North Olmsted's record on this issue is a distant third to Westlake and Fairview Park. This is an opportunity for the city to revise its approach to commercial development and to see that there is more to living in this city than simply making the easy buck. We want people driving down Lorain Road to think of this as an attractive place to be, not an ugly one. He thinks the record of both Gamey dealerships in this city is one that leads to the conclusion that aesthetics mean little or nothing to the leadership of this city. Dr. Yong Jung, 25566 Lorain Road, is located next door to Ganley. His complaint is that Ganley is crossing over to his property and parking cars. He wants to be a good neighbor and not makes complaints, but feels he must speak out about this. President O'Grady announced that this issue would be discussed at a BZD Committee meeting at 7 p.m. on Apri128. With no further comments from the audience, President O'Grady adjourned the public • ,. ~ , arbara L. Seman, Cler of Council Thomas E. O'Grady, Preside of Council