MEETING NOTES OCTOBER 17, 2023
Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary
• October 17, 2023 •
Ken Kary • Councilman Ward 2
NOTE
These notes “are not” the official minutes for Willoughby City Council.
The views I express in these Council Meeting Summaries are my own and do not reflect any official view or position of the City of Willoughby.
The “official” Council Minutes are posted on the City of Willoughby Website
https://willoughbyohio.com/city-council/
ABSENT: Ken Kary
Committee Meetings:
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING:
Committee: Ken Kary, Dan Anderson, Dan Garry
Absent: Chairman Kary
*The purpose of the Environmental Planning Committee meeting is to review the following:
EAS #10-8-23(a) - Rezoning of approximately 7.4761 of real property located at the northeast corner of Shankland Road and Ridge Road (Permanent Parcel Nos. 27A0080000210, 27A0080000220, 27A0080000230, 27A0080000240, and 27A0080000250 from Residential
One-Family 100 (R-100) to Residential One-Family 60 (R-60).
Mr. Anderson noted that Chairman Kary was absent this evening. Mr. Keeney stated the property, consisting of 7.4 acres at the corner of Shankland and Ridge Roads is currently zoned R-100. He believes the property has been before the Planning Commission a few times and a few frontage lots on Shankland were split into R-100 lots. These lots were put on the market but there was no luck in marketing them. He stated ALM Properties has now teamed up with Epcon Communities for that location. The Epcon Communities are for seniors or empty nesters and ALM Properties feels there is a market for it in Willoughby. He feels the product will work well on a 60 ft. lot with no maintenance for the homeowners. He understands there is some reservations regarding the smaller lots but they feel it’s a good product for that location. Mr. Anderson confirmed the community is
55 over. Mr. Anderson reviewed the comments from the Planning Commission. Regarding storm water, drainage must be directed to Shankland away from the rear yard on Harlow and Parkgate. He stated he is also concerned about flooding on Shankland as well. The site will require retention per Codified Ordinance 1171.10. A utility easement along the north line should be provided for future sanitary extension from Shankland east. High wall plumbing should be used. Regarding wetlands, all sites 1/10th acre or more are required to prove compliance with state and federal regulations. Mr. Keeney stated they had the site looked at and it was clean; this was from 2 to 3 years ago. Sidewalks must be installed on Ridge and Shankland. Mr. Keeney stated sidewalks already exist on Shankland but is aware they need to install them on Ridge. No concerns from the WPCC or from the Police Department. There will be an increase in service from the Fire Department. Regarding the gas wells, he asked Mr. Keeney if he was aware that copies of all documents must be submitted to Fire Department for recording purposes. Mr. Keeney said the gas well is in the process of being properly plugged. Chief Ungar stated his department has never had to deal with a gas well in a residential development, which he stated is a concern. Mr. Keeney stated that the head of the well will be located in the right-of-way in the development. There were no concerns with noise, water, air pollution and no impact on the schools.
Mr. Merhar stated that going from an R-100 to R-60 is a rather large jump. He asked if R- 80 zoning has been looked at. Mr. Keeney replied they have not. He stated the product being looked at is why they are looking at R-60 because the houses are closer together. The proposal is for 19 units. Mr. Merhar stated it’s the only place that you would see a rear yard residence facing Ridge Road. Mr. Keeney pointed out that there would be a similar situation if it were developed with R-100 zoning with a cul-de-sac. Mr. Anderson gave a recap of what Planning Commission members had said regarding the rezoning.
• Mr. Kary said this is a great product but his concern is this product at that location. He didn’t care for the back yards facing Ridge Rd. He said the area is surrounded by R- 100 and to put in an R-60 is not good planning.
• Mr. Capelle agreed with Mr. Kary and said this is disruptive to the neighborhood's fabric. Mr. Capelle asked if it is legal to age restrict. It is legal and would be done through the Homeowners Association.
• Dr. Norris said it is a nice product but not for this piece of land and he worries about storm water and the flow of the whole stretch of the street is the same.
Mr. Anderson informed the applicant that he would need a 2/3 vote (5 votes) for the legislation to pass (there are 6 Council members present tonight).
AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
October 17, 2023
POLICE DEPARTMENT SWEARING IN AND AWARDS
Mayor Fiala swore in Patrol Officers Brown, Mehm and Wright, Sergeants Lampela, Sevel, Crowley and Neath, Lieutenants Davis and Scozzie. Chief Schultz presented the 2021 Jason Gresko Special Officer of the Year Award to Patrol Officer Rick Myers, the 2022 Jason Gresko Special Officer of the Year Award to Patrol Officer Gerry Spradlin, the 2022 Officer of the Year Award to Detective Gabe Sleigh and the Civilian Employee of the Year Award to Kim Pintar.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES-
Regular Council Meeting of October 3, 2023
PUBLIC HEARING:
Clerk Novak read the legal notice for the public hearing to be held tonight for the proposed rezoning on Shankland and Ridge Roads
Those Speaking in Favor-
Jeff Smul, 20th Century Construction, 2167 Mentor Avenue Painesville, Ohio – Mr. Smul stated he is in favor of the proposal. He believes they are providing a product that is in dire need in the entire country and in Willoughby; it would be a 55 plus active adult community. He stated the community would be low maintenance with someone who plows the snow and cuts the grass. The community will have sidewalks and public streets. The homes will be upscale patio homes with no steps so residents can age in the home appropriately. Homes will be two bedrooms and two bathrooms all on the first floor, but a bonus room can be added on the second floor. He stated this type of community reduces traffic and has less impact on schools versus traditional housing. Mr. Smul stated that he looked at the zoning map for the City and noted that there is R-100 and R-60 next to each other and doesn’t feel it’s a valid argument. He stated the community will have a buffer so you won’t be able to see the backs of the houses. Mr. Smul feels the R-60 zoning is the best use of the property and it will enable them to provide the City with a diversity of housing with a 55 plus development.
Tom Riebe, 2167 Mentor Avenue Painesville, Ohio – Mr. Riebe stated when he was before the Planning Commission, he felt there were a lot of people who were in favor of this type of community; there is a great need for empty nesters for this type of housing. Mr. Riebe stated that if they are denied the request for rezoning, he believes this would be akin to spot zoning since they would be denied what has been granted to others. He referenced the rezoning of Chagrin Mill Farm that was rezoned from R-100 to R-60 with R-100 housing surrounding that development.
Those Speaking in Opposition-
Debra Bordonaro, 4987 Shankland, Willoughby, Ohio – Ms. Bordonaro stated she lives right next to the property that is asking to be rezoned. She stated she is on record from the September 28th Planning Commission meeting that if she has to be opposed or in favor she said she would be opposed only because she has concerns about things that could affect her property that haven’t been addressed. She asked where the retention basin is going to be located; she doesn’t want it near her property. She asked if fencing would be installed near her property line. She asked how the gas well is going to be addressed and wondered if it would affect her. She asked if there are still going to be 19 homes and preferred all ranch homes. She asked if the sidewalks from the development would extend going north on Shankland. She stated her main concern was the water runoff from the development into her property. She stated there are wells on the property. She feels these issues were not addressed. She said if these issues were addressed, she probably would be in favor.
Mark Mastrangelo, 37431 Ridge Road, Willoughby, Ohio – Mr. Mastrangelo stated he opposes the rezoning of the property to R-60 stating he believes it’s too dense. He stated R- 100 is all along Ridge Road from Rt. 91 all the way to Highland Avenue. The development to the north is R-100 (Arlington and Harlow). At the Planning Commission meeting, he raised the issue that, if approved, it could look like spot zoning. He has concerns about drainage; the houses to the east of the property were part of a farm with two livestock wells. There is a lot of water that runs underground and you can hear it emptying into the storm sewers on Shankland even during dry periods. He had heard that residents on Harlow are having drainage issues probably from runoff from Rt. 84. He is concerned if there is a retention basin in the new development, it would interfere with runoff drainage. He is also concerned about the back yards of the development facing Rt. 84 and how it would be shielded since he hasn’t seen a drawing. He asked who will be plowing the sidewalks if the development has a homeowners association. He believes there will be an increase in traffic especially during school hours. He is also concerned about the heavy equipment during the construction phase and it’s impact on Ridge Road.
Patricia Norris, 37449 Ridge Road, Willoughby, Ohio – Ms. Norris stated all the houses right now face Ridge Road which makes it a desirable place to be. On the other side of the road, she said the ground is very loose and the telephone polls are not stable and she feels new houses will affect that and the beauty of the City.
Nina Alban, 37311 Harlow Drive, Willoughby, Ohio – Ms. Alban said she agrees with those who spoke against this project. She stated she has drainage issues and is concerned about slab homes and water runoff. She doesn’t feel that cluster homes are right for the property and will spoil the integrity of the neighborhood.
STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS
No major reports
CORRESPONDENCE
No correspondence
PUBLIC PORTION
No one spoke
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-122
A resolution approving EAS #10-8-23(a) for the rezoning of approximately 7.4761 of real property located at the northeast corner of Shankland Road and Ridge Road (Permanent Parcel Nos. 27A0080000210, 27A0080000220, 27A0080000230,
27A0080000240, and 27A0080000250 from Residential One-Family 100 (R-100) to Residential One-Family 60 (R-60).
Roll Call 2 yes
4 no (Merhar, Sievers, Tomaselli, Anderson)
Motion defeated 2 to 4
ORDINANCE NO. 2023-123
An ordinance amending the Zone Map of the City of Willoughby, Ohio to reclassify 7.4761 acres of certain real property located at the northeast corner of Shankland Road and Ridge Road (Permanent Parcel Nos. 27A0080000210, 27A0080000220, 27A0080000230, 27A0080000240, and 27A0080000250 from Residential One-Family 100 (R-100) to Residential One-Family 60 (R-60).
Roll Call 2 yes
4 no (Merhar, Sievers, Tomaselli, Anderson)
Motion defeated 2 to 4
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-124 Motion carried 6 to 0
A resolution authorizing a total expenditure of $111,111 for the purchase of one (1) 2023 Ford F250 Regular Cab Pick Up Truck with Plow in the amount of $59,436 and for the purchase of one (1) 2023 Ford F250 Regular Cab Pick Up Truck without Plow in the amount of $51,675 from Classic Auto Group, for use by the Building and Grounds Department and the Parks Department.
NOTE:
For accuracy, this section has been copied from the council meeting minutes
MAYORS REPORT
Regarding the recent joint meeting between Council and the Planning Commission, Mayor Fiala stated he is identifying items that could be recommended immediately for legislation. Another meeting will be scheduled in the next few weeks.
DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
Service Director Palmisano – Mr. Palmisano thanked Council for the passage of Resolution No. 2023-124. Leaf pick up started this week with one vehicle. Mr. Anderson confirmed with Mr. Palmisano that the Service Department did the paving on Willoughcroft. Mr. Carr reminded Mr. Palmisano that the crosswalk needs to be painted from Abbotts Mill across the street to Heinen’s.
Fire Chief Ungar – Chief Ungar commented that the Service Department did a nice job at paving the back half of the parking lot at Fire Station #1. Chief Ungar stated that tomorrow, the City is hosting a seminar being put on by University Hospitals at the Senior Center for the Willoughby Fire Department as well as other fire departments.
Police Chief Schultz – Chief Schultz thanked Council for the opportunity to have the swearing in and awards ceremony tonight. Chief Shultz reported that the Touch A Truck event was held last week at the Service Garage; he thanked Mr. Palmisano and Ms. Keller for setting up the event. He said the Police Department has a great time at the event. He stated that this Sunday, October 22nd from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. is the annual Lake County First Responders Trunk or Treat event at the Lake County Captains Stadium and is free for everyone to attend. This Saturday at 5 p.m. is the Maddie Strong Fundraiser at the Willoughby Fraternal Order of Eagles. Maddie Orton is a Willowick Police Officer who suffered a stroke and is being supported by the close knit community of Lake County police officers. The fundraiser is open to everyone. Regarding the new Police Station, Chief Schultz said great progress has been made with meetings with the architect and Mission Critical Partners. He said program and spacing have been identified within the building.
Parks & Recreation Director Keller – Ms. Keller stated that the Trick or Treat Trail is this Saturday from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Osborne Park. Pumpkin Chunkin starts at 11 a.m.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Ms. Sievers – Ms. Sievers reported she will hold a Ward 1 meeting on October 26th at Fire Station #2 at 7 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY
For your information, the next City Council Meeting scheduled for November 7, 2023, will be canceled.
“VOTING DAY”
The next meeting will be:
Tue, Nov 14, 2023 7:00 pm
City Council Meeting
City Hall – B and C Rooms
Once again, I invite those who can to attend!!!!
NOTE
The views I express in these Council Meeting Summaries are my own and do not reflect any official view or position of the City of Willoughby. The “official” Council Minutes are posted on the
City of Willoughby Website
https://willoughbyohio.com/city-council/