CITY OF HIGHLAND HEIGHTS
HELD: APRIL 14, 2008
PRESENT: Commissioners Kerr, Knezevic, Mastrangelo, Urban;
Recording Clerk Olson; Assistant Building Commissioner Austin
ABSENT: Commissioner Pilla
CANCELLATION OF REGULAR MEETING SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 24, 2008: The regular meeting scheduled for March 24, 2008 was cancelled because there were no matters to discuss.
MOTION ON THE MINUTES: The reading of the Minutes of the regular meeting held March 10, 2008 was dispensed with. Mr. Kerr moved to accept the Minutes as written; seconded by Mr. Knezevic. Ayes Kerr, Knezevic, Mastrangelo; abstain Urban. Motion carried.
The reading of the Minutes of the Public Hearing held March 10, 2008 for CLAP Day Care, Ltd./Play Academy, Inc. was dispensed with. Mr. Kerr moved to accept the Minutes as written; seconded by Mr. Knezevic. Ayes Kerr, Knezevic, Mastrangelo; abstain Urban. Motion carried.
SUBJECT: HI-BISHOP REALTY SHOPPING CENTER, 785-797 BISHOP ROAD
PZ08004 PARKING AND WALKWAY IMPROVEMENT PLANS
No one was present to discuss this matter.
SUBJECT: NATIONAL CITY BANK, 26460 CURTISS WRIGHT PARKWAY
PZ08005 SITE IMPROVEMENT PLANS
Josh Lyons, GPD Group, 520 South Main Street, Suite 2531, Akron, Ohio 44311, architectural engineers for National City Bank, appeared before the Commission to review proposed site improvements at 26460 Curtiss Wright Parkway.
Mr. Lyons stated they are proposing the following site improvement plans: add one row of employee parking to the existing parking lot which will increase the number of parking spaces from 25 to 38; add 1 catch basin; add two new light fixtures to the existing light poles to provide illumination for the expansion; and sod all disturbed areas during construction.
Assistant Building Commissioner Austin stated that City Engineer Blackley is reviewing the plans and has requested more information on the catch basin to determine if the size of the existing sewer is adequate. He said that the Police and Fire Departments have not expressed any concerns with the proposed changes. He advised Mr. Lyons to contact the City Engineer.
Chairman Mastrangelo recommended that this matter be continued at the next regular meeting on April 28, 2008.
SUBJECT: KNOWLEDGE LEARNING CORPORATION (DBA KINDERCARE), 675 MINER ROAD
PZ08006 PROPOSED BUILDING TO OPERATE A DAY CARE CENTER
Gerald Weber, Weber Architecture, 13711 Madison Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio 44107, and Chris Seelig, NAI Daus, real estate representative, representing Knowledge Learning Corporation, 3401 Enterprise Parkway, Suite 105, Beachwood, Ohio 44122, appeared before the Commission to review plans to construct a building to operate a day care center on a vacant parcel at 675 Miner Road, a PCM District, and to request a conditional use permit to operate the day care.
Mr. Seelig stated that Knowledge Learning Corporation, also known as KinderCare, is currently operating within Alpha Park. He said they are proposing to construct a 9,500 square foot prototypical KinderCare building identical to one in Beachwood that opened last December with a 12,000 square foot outside play area behind the building. He stated they will apply for the licensed capacity for the State of Ohio which is 146 children. He said there will be 15 employees. Mr. Seelig presented a photo of the building in Beachwood.
There was much discussion regarding the proposed parking lot located in front of the building. Chairman Mastrangelo stated that code does not allow the entire parking lot to be located in front and that a variance would be required. He recommended that the parking lot be located on the south side of the building and that the front yard be landscaped to obscure the view of the parking lot from the residential neighbors across the street. Mr. Seelig replied they want the parking lot in front of the building for customer convenience during drop-off and pick-up. He said that fewer trees would have to be removed if the parking lot was in front of the building. He stated that a parking lot on the south side of the building would not allow for future additions to the building. Assistant Building Commissioner Austin stated that a parking lot in front of the building would provide a safer environment for the children in the outdoor play area behind the building. Mr. Knezevic stated that consideration must be given to the neighbor’s view from across the street when deciding the configuration of the facility.
Mr. Austin stated that the proposed plans do not indicate a retention area. He said that the City Engineer is reviewing storm water calculations which could affect the location of the parking lot. He said that the applicant is requesting a conditional use permit at this time to operate the day care and will continue to develop the site plans once the permit is granted.
Chairman Mastrangelo advised that a Public Hearing will be held on April 28, 2008 and that the notice will appear in the Sun Newspapers for two consecutive weeks prior to the hearing. He recommended that an employee of Knowledge Learning Corporation be present.
SUBJECT: ANTHONY ROMANO, BISHOP ROAD (SOUTH OF HAWTHORNE DR.)
PZ08007 REVIEW CONCEPT FOR PROPOSED SUBDIVISION
Anthony Romano and Larry Salvatore, Salvatore & Caretti Realty, 5145 Mayfield Road, Lyndhurst, Ohio 44124, appeared before the Commission to present a conceptual plan for a proposed subdivision on Permanent Parcels 822-15-001 & 002 located on Bishop Road directly south of Hawthorne Drive.
The applicants had submitted a layout of a one-sided cul-de-sac street and a layout of a two-sided cul-de-sac street. Mr. Romano stated that this particular concept plan was submitted to the Commission several years ago by another realtor. He said that proposed homes would be sold for approximately $450,000 - $500,000. Chairman Mastrangelo advised the applicants that this conceptual plan was rejected in the past because the 168’ depth of the proposed lots will only allow a house depth of 38’ after meeting front and rear setback requirements, which is not adequate for homes in this price range. Chairman Mastrangelo advised the applicants that the building footprint on the conceptual lots is too small for the type of homes they are proposing to build which would result in builders requesting variances in order to build their homes.
Mr. Knezevic advised the applicants that another reason this conceptual plan was rejected in the past was to assure the abutting homeowners on Hawthorne Drive that homes would not be built that did not comply with code.
The applicants inquired if they could obtain a blanket variance for the lots. Chairman Mastrangelo and Mr. Knezevic replied there is no hardship to warrant a variance.
Chairman Mastrangelo advised the applicants they have not addressed the wetland issues that exist on this property.
The applicants thanked the Commissioners for their comments.
ADJOURNMENT: A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Kerr and seconded by Mr. Knezevic. Said meeting adjourned at 8:41 p.m.
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Susan M. Olson, Recording Clerk
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Robert J. Mastrangelo, Chairman