Cleveland Heights City Council special meeting highlights 7-31-2017

JULY 31, 2017

  • Public comments
  • Objection to liquor permits
  • Public services plan for Coventry Village
  • Commercial loan
  • Lease change for Boss Dog Brewery Co.
  • Community development corporation working group
  • Zoning variances
  • Planning commission meeting

Present were Mayor Cheryl Stephens, Mary Dunbar, Carol Roe, Kahil Seren and Melissa Yasinow. Vice Mayor Jason Stein and Michael N. Ungar were absent. The meeting lasted from 7:36 to 8:14 p.m.

Public comments

Creation of Community Development Corporation: Seven residents addressed the pending creation of a Community Development Corporation (CDC) in partnership with FutureHeights. Among them were three members of Greater Cleveland Congregations, who spoke in favor of moving forward with the planning, and two members of the FutureHeights board, who expressed appreciation for the city’s work on the partnership thus far. Two residents voiced concern about the process and advised council to take more time.

Former Coventry School site redevelopment: Representing the Ensemble Theatre board as well as the current tenants of the Coventry building, Jack Valancy thanked council for holding a public hearing on June 27. He reported that the tenants are developing a vision that they will present to council in September.

Objection to liquor permits

Council approved resolutions objecting to the following renewal requests for liquor permits:

  • Fitzdunn LLC (doing business as Helen’s Game Time, 3962 Mayfield Road)
  • Noble Roman Inc. (doing business as Noble Gas, 2610 Noble Road)
  • 5855 East Glenn Inc. (doing business as Shillelaghs, 2555 Noble Road)

The resolutions also request that hearings on these permit renewals be held in Cuyahoga County.

Public services plan for Coventry Village

Council approved implementation of a five-year public services plan for the Coventry Village Special Improvement District (SID). This is a measure that comes to council every five years. The costs are covered by special assessments on each of the properties included in the Coventry Village SID.

Zoning variances

Council approved zoning variances for the following:

  • The Orleans Company, 2728 Euclid Heights Blvd.: one variance to permit an eight-foot front-yard setback along Mornington Lane, and another to permit 15 enclosed parking spaces for eight townhomes.
  • Shimon Munk, 3732 Severn Road, to permit the addition to the principal structure of an attached garage with a second-story room to be set back 12 feet from the rear property line.
  • Yvette and Jim Goldurs, 3867 Glenwood Road, to permit an attached garage with front-facing garage doors.

Commercial loan

Council approved a resolution authorizing an agreement with K and K One Holding LLC (doing business as evoDOMUS) for a commercial revolving loan of $100,000 under the city’s Economic Development Loan Fund program for assistance in relocation from Cleveland to the Cedar Taylor Business District in Cleveland Heights. The company produces energy-efficient, custom-designed prefabricated homes.

Lease change for Boss Dog Brewery Co.

Council passed a resolution to increase the amount of city property and public right of way being leased to Boss Dog Brewery Co. LLC. The company has redrawn its patio plans to incorporate handicapped-accessible entrance. The new agreement will be for approximately 1,074 square feet, and the annual lease amount will increase by $200 (from $2,000 to $2,200).

Community Development Corporation working group

With one “no” vote, council approved a resolution affirming its intent to partner with FutureHeights to create a CDC. The resolution also authorizes the city manager to appoint a working group of city staff, FutureHeights representatives, and other Cleveland Heights community development stakeholders to consider goals and priorities, governance, funding sources, and other relevant issues. Council Member Seren voted against the measure, stating that a vote by council is unnecessary because the city manager has the authority to establish a working group on her own.

Planning commission meeting

Council Member Dunbar noted that the city’s planning commission will hold a hearing on zoning for the Mayfield/Monticello/Lee triangle on Wednesday, Aug. 9, at 7 p.m., in council chambers.

Next Meeting

Council will recess for the month of August. The next regular meeting will be on Tuesday, Sept. 5, at 7:30 p.m.

LWV Observer: Katherine Solender.

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These reports contain member observation and selected highlights of public meetings and are not official statements of the Heights Chapter of the League of Women Voters of Greater Cleveland. This disclaimer must accompany any redistribution of these reports.

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Volume 10, Issue 9, Posted 5:47 PM, 09.03.2017