Live reporting by
Christina Easter
Commission considers zoning changes, approves demolition of old CMSD building
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Good morning Cleveland and beyond. I will be live tweeting today's City Planning Commission meeting starting at 9:00 #CLEDocumenters @signalcleveland @cledocumenters
08:00 AM Jan 20, 2023 CST
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters You can watch the meeting on the Commission's YoutTube channel at youtube.com/watch?v=iywPJd…
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters This is the second live, in-person meeting since Covid. Roll call - there is a quorum so the meeting proceeds. First up, is approval of the minutes from the last meeting.
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters First on the agenda are Zoning Map Amendments - staff will present, persons affected can speak, those in favor and against the amendment will have an opportunity to be heard.
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Map Change 2665 - property located along 66th Street between Linwood Ave. and Lawnview Ave. Xavier Bay from City Planning presents the purpose of the amendment.
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters There are no comments from the Commission. Shelia Wright, President of Frontline Development Group present for the developer says, the amendment will allow for development of a residential project that will include 19 one bedrooms and 19 two bedrooms.
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Council member Stephanie Howse is in support of the project. There are no opponents of the project. The commission members vote to approve the ordinance.
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Next is Map Change 2665 presented by City Planner, Shannan Leonard. The goal is to connect the Tremont Neighborhood to the waterfront. https://t.co/zFSfgK9tvq
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Council member Kerry McCormack speaks and is favor of the proposed amendment after participating in a neighborhood meeting earlier this week. McCormack says there is no development in process, the amendment is forward looking for the neighborhood.
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Public comment from those is favor of the zoning change - Aaron Taylor represents the owner of the land and is in favor of the proposed amendment.
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Persons not in favor of the zoning change include Asphalt Company and Shelly Materials Company which owns 80% of the land that will extend to the lakefront. Currently, litigation on this issue and they request delay in approving the amendment.
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Leonard states the zoning change will not prevent the business owners from continuing to operate their business if the zoning change passes.
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters A resident says the Asphalt Company affects the "use and enjoyment" of his property and that he would like to see development plan because construction causes shaking to his property. Will be gathering funds to oppose the height of the proposed structure.
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Leonard says that whatever the design is the City would like to know how the new project will affect the Towpath.
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Michael Meyer, a resident, speaks and says during the neighborhood meeting there were people against the project because of vagueness of the proposal, affect of the height of the project, and noise caused by new construction.
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Susan McIllduff and Bob Strickland also oppose the proposed amend stating they are part of group of residents who oppose the zoning change for because the information is vague.
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Donna Grigonis with the Tremont Block Club says they have received numerous comments from residents that they oppose the proposed project.
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters McCormack says about 50 people attended the Block Club meeting and he wanted to walk away from the meeting knowing attendees opposition to the project.
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Council member Denise McCray-Scott asked what prompted the requested zoning change and Leonard responds that the property owner approached the city to request the change.
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Commission member and chair, Lillian Kuri says there are safeguards in place to address zoning change and the Commission is one.
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters The zoning use change to extend the Tremont Neighborhood to the waterfront has much discussion and opposition and more information will be requested. https://t.co/07enAOjs3m
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Next up is SE2023-001 Proposed Demolition of a 3-story Institutional Use Building presented by Jeff Henderson who represents CMSD. Demolition will include JKF High School and the Rec center.
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters The football stadium will not be demolished. https://t.co/O59jtzVEyL
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Commission member August Fluker asks how will people watch football games and events if there are no bleachers and Henderson says seating will be brought in.
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters There is a request that artists be given notice of the demolition so artists can document their work and Henderson says the District would be willing to do this.
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Motion approved with stipulation that artists will be given notice of date of demolition.👏
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Next is a request for Little Puerto Rico Mural at 6105 Memphis Ave. Harry speaks for the artists - goal is to create vibrancy in the neighborhood and share culture.
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Proposed Puerto Rico Mural! https://t.co/LiFVsig0Xs
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters The motion to approve the Little Puerto Rico Mural is approved by the commission.
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Next is a mandatory referral for Calvary Hill Church of God in Christ at 2765 Woodhill Road to be designated a Cleveland Landmark.
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters A little history of Calvary. https://t.co/upv8JDI1LP
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Calvary Hill Temple Church of God in Christ. https://t.co/L7xv1E2u35
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters "The Lighthouse on the Hill" has rehabbed and built more than 50 houses in the neighborhood. Designation as a Cleveland Landmark will give the Church access to grants so it can keep up with development going on in the neighborhood.
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters The commission members approve the ordinance to designate Calvary as a landmark.
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Next, Ordinance No. 54-2023 for development and sale of real property at 2530-2570 Superior Ave. that will be the new City of Cleveland Police Headquarters.
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Groundbreaking was held 12/21 and a $106m bond was issued for the project of which $95.2m has been spent. ☝️
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Proposed site of new Police HQ - although not a landmark the city does want to preserve the building. https://t.co/6ULzXdt31Z
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Fluker has concerns that the collective bargaining agreement seems superficial and doesn't create metrics that will allow the next workforce to thrive in the community.
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters McCray asks about proposed construction specs to understand the impact the new Police HQ will have on the neighborhood. https://t.co/IK8VmyJKkB
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Some commission members asks if the project will include services like a coffee shop that is open to the public so the community feels more welcomed and the city planner says they will look into this.
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Kuri says she would be a colorful lighting of the exterior of the building to give it an artistic look at night - this is an opportunity to make the HQ a beacon from the bridges leading into Cleveland!
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters The commission approved Ordinance No. 310-2023 authorizing the Director of City Planning to apply for and accept a Cleveland Foundation Arts, Culture and Creative Economy Grant.
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Want a quick note on what City Planning did at today's meeting? View the agenda by going to: planning.clevelandohio.gov/designreview/s…
@signalcleveland @cledocumenters Have questions! Think we got something wrong? Send any inquiries on the meeting or live tweets to @cledocumenters. Or email us at cledocumenters@gmail.com.