MEETING NOTES MAY 9, 2023
Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary
• May 9, 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/
Committee Meetings:
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING:
Committee: Ken Kary, Dan Anderson, Dan Garry
*The purpose of the Environmental Planning Committee meeting is to review:
EAS #2-2-23
Construction of an addition to the existing building and a loading dock located at 38264 Willoughby Parkway (US Foils).
The applicant for this EAS review was not present this evening. Mr. Kary asked Law Director Lucas his thoughts on moving forward. Mr. Lucas stated the matter could be tabled if there are questions that the applicant needs to answer, or he could move forward.
Mr. Kary stated the Planning Commission passed this EAS without issues but asked the other committee members if they felt comfortable discussing it. Mr. Anderson said he was good with that. Mr. Kary stated EAS #2-2-23 was approved by the Planning Commission with a few notations. Mr. Lannon had reported the existing utilities were able to handle the demands of the project, and the project shall follow the stormwater code requirements and include a drainage system that will control discharge from the site to retention ponds; the plan submitted showed all that information. No concerns from WPCC, no worries from Police or Fire, no impact on the school system, no noise, water, or air pollution concerns, and no hazardous waste concerns. The project will start in June, 2023 with a completion date of December, 2023 depending on a wetlands study that needs to be completed. Mr. Lannon stated the study was done, and the applicant is waiting for affirmation by the Army Corps of Engineers.
Mr. Kary stated that the Committee recommends passage of EAS #5-3-23 to Council.
EAS #3-2-23
Construction of eight (8) townhomes on single-family fee simple envelope lots located on Kirtland Road (Kirtland Tudor Townhomes at Kirtland Tudor Estates).
Mr. Strauss requested that this EAS be tabled this evening. He met with Fire Chief Ungar this evening prior to the meeting, and he will be meeting with the Fire Marshall to address some concerns and produce a revised plan. Mr. Kary stated that the Committee recommends placing EAS #3-2-23 on the table tonight.
EAS #5-3-23
Construction of an industrial building and parking lot located on the south side of Kennedy Parkway (Lost Nation Parkway I, LLC).
Mr. Novak stated that the Kennedy Group proposes building a 31,000 sq ft building. A preliminary plan was submitted that shows plenty of parking, stormwater detention, and water quality ponds along the south side of Kennedy Parkway and Lost Nation Road. Regarding stormwater, Mr. Lannon stated that based on the preliminary drawing, everything seems to comply with the codified ordinances; the developer will submit the necessary calculations. Mr. Lannon said he didn’t see anything listed for sidewalks. Mr. Novak wanted further clarification on the sidewalks noting that Kennedy Parkway has been around a long time, and there are no sidewalks along the north side, and to the east end, the road goes nowhere. Mr. Kary stated that any new development must put in sidewalks. Mr. Kary said that Police and Fire have no concerns for noise, air or water pollution, no impact on the schools, and no hazardous waste concerns. Regarding the timeline, Mr. Novak stated the developer would like to complete the project by the end of 2023, depending on approvals.
Mr. Kary stated that the Committee recommends passage of EAS #5-3-23 to Council.
AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
May 9, 2023
APPROVAL OF MINUTES-
Regular Council Meeting of April 18, 2023
STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS
No major reports
CORRESPONDENCE
No correspondence
PUBLIC PORTION
Peter Joyce, 39505 Tudor Drive, Willoughby, Ohio - Mr. Joyce stated he wanted to make a few remarks regarding the proposal of townhomes (EAS #3-2-23 Kirtland Tudor Estates). He said the proposed ingress/egress is a singular driveway that currently eight vehicles use; with the new proposal, that would increase to approximately 16 vehicles (2 cars per residence) which he feels would create safety issues. He noted that trash bins and recycle bins are put out onto that single driveway; 16 moretrash bins would create hazardous conditions for safety services and congestion that could putchildren in harms way. Mr. Joyce stated the proposal would mean the removal of a good portion of thesound and sight berm that is currently in place; he believes this berm does a remarkable job at silencing the noise from Rt. 306 and 1-90. He stated the proposed height of the new townhomes is 37'and he understands that the restriction is 35'; he would like to see what the new architectural drawings look like.
Joseph Rehak, 39549 Tudor Drive, Willoughby, Ohio - Mr. Rehak agreed with the comments made by Mr. Joyce. He stated there are residents who are opposed to the current proposed design. He stated he would like to see the development completed but with the original design of two story, single family homes with a driveway.
Katharine Altadonna-Morley, 39479 Tudor Drive, Willoughby, Ohio - Ms. Altodonna Morley stated she rented a townhome at Tudor Estates prior to purchasing about 18 months ago. She voiced concerns about adding 16 more vehicles to one single driveway; currently eight cars must take turns using the driveway because two cars can't use the driveway at the same time. She believes addingmore vehicles would create a safety concern for vehicles and kids. She believes the addition of townhomes will discourage the building of single family homes in the development.
Mary Sanders, 4326 Tudor Drive, Willoughby, Ohio - Ms. Sanders stated she does not share thedriveway previously mentioned, but she concurs with the previous comments about it. Ms. Sandersstated noise pollution is real and every place you go, abatement is taking place. She indicated that the topsoil (at Kirtland Tudor Estates) was scraped off the entire development in order to build the hills that serve as a barrier. Erosion is taking place and flowing into the unsold lots with existing storm sewers that are not properly capped or graveled. She stated there is an invasive species on the property (black locust tree) that she believes is illegal in the City and they should be abated. She stated she is concerned about erosion, sewers, invasive species and noise.
Lynn Gattozzi, from the law firm of Squire Patton Boggs - Ms. Gattozzi stated she was attending the meeting tonight representing Ms. Morley, Mr. and Mrs. Joyce and Mr. Rehak. She stated theaforementioned individuals made points tonight that are outlined in a letter dated April 27th that was sent to the City of Willoughby Planning Commission (see attached letter). Mr. Carr stated the letter has been received by Council and will be part of the record.
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-56 MOTION CARRIED 7 to 0
A resolution approving EAS #2-2-23 for the construction of an addition to the existing building and a loading dock located at 38264 Willoughby Parkway (US Foils).
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-57 MOTION CARRIED 7 to 0
A resolution approving EAS #3-2-23 for constructing eight (8) townhomes on single-family fee simple envelope lots located on Kirtland Road (Kirtland Tudor Townhomes at Kirtland Tudor Estates).
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-58 MOTION CARRIED 7 to 0
A resolution approving EAS #5-3-23 for the construction of an industrial building and parking lot located on the south side of Kennedy Parkway (Lost Nation Parkway I, LLC).
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-59 MOTION CARRIED 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing an expenditure in the amount of $55,322 for the purchase of one (1)2022 Ram Promaster 2500 Transit Van from Classic Auto Group for use by the Willoughby-Eastlake Water Pollution Control Center and declaring an emergency.
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-60 MOTION CARRIED 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing an expenditure of $51,575 for the purchase of one (1) 2023 Ford F250 Regular Cab Pick-Up Truck from Classic Auto Group for use by the Sewer Department and declaring an emergency.
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-61 MOTION CARRIED 7 to 0
A resolution authorizing the City Engineer to prepare plans and specifications and to advertise for bids for the 2023 Highway Pavement Lane Marking Project with a one (1) year renewal option, and declaring an emergency.
NOTE:
For accuracy, this section has been copied from the council meeting minutes
MAYORS REPORT
Mayor Fiala thanked Council for their support and assistance with the passage of Issue 2. He also thanked the residents for their support. He stated the much anticipated Dukes and Boots grand opening is this Friday at 3:30 p.m. Mr. Kary asked Mayor Fiala if he could prod the Planning Commission to take action with regard to the studies or implementation of bollards in the downtown area. Mayor Fiala stated some research was done, but there has been no follow-up.
DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
Service Director Palmisano - Mr. Palmisano stated the Rt. 306 bridge work is almost complete. There have been several complaints about the pavement in the area. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) notified the City that the pavement will be milled tomorrow, and paving will take place on Thursday. Ronyak Paving will be doing the paving on Rt. 306 as well as the Kirtland Road paving project. Kirtland Road paving should start on Friday or Monday and be done quickly.
Mr. Carr asked how the service has been from the new trapper. Mr. Palmisano stated the only complaint he has received was that the limit is only two animals but not with the service itself. Mr. Anderson said he received a call from a resident stating that a "No Outlet" sign had been missing on St. Clair and wanted to know when it would be installed. Mr. Palmisano said it would be taken care of this week. Regarding the paving on Kirtland Road, Mr. Tomaselli asked if the work included any berm enhancement. Mr. Palmisano stated that if the contractor doesn't correct the berming, he will have a crew come in and take care of it. He noted that part of the work includes guardrail replacement.
Fire Chief Ungar - Chief Ungar stated he appreciated everyone's support and hard work to help promote and get issue 2 passed. Mr. Anderson asked about the timeline for a new ladder truck. Chief Ungar stated most manufacturers are at least two years from signing a contract; some manufacturers could be 36 to 40 months due to the ·availability of raw materials. Mayor Fiala stated the City will issue a letter of intent in the next few days to purchase a ladder truck; there will be a discussion on how the City will finance the purchase.
Police Chief Schultz - Chief Schultz thanked Mayor Fiala and Tom Thielman for their vision for the new police station and City Council for their dedication and commitment to Issue 2. He thanked Jerry Ranally, Wade Mitchell, Seamus Coyne, and McPat Coyne for their commitment to the project and the businesses supporting the effort. He also thanked the residents for their faith and trust in the City's safety forces.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Ms. Sievers - Ms. Sievers thanked all the residents for supporting Issue 2.
Mr. Tomaselli - Mr. Tomaselli thanked the residents of Kirtland Tudor Estates for coming out and voicing their concerns. He recommended that Council look at Kirtland Tudor Estates in the next two weeks; it will give more insight into the proposed townhomes.
Mr. Anderson - Mr. Anderson asked what the protocol is when he receives a high grass complaint from a resident. Mr. Palmisano stated the residents should call the Service Department, and a letter will be sent out if the grass is 8" or higher.
ADJOURNMENT
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/