City of Aurora PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES June 21, 2017 The Aurora Planning Commission met in a regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, June 21, 2017, in Council Chambers of Aurora City Hall. The meeting was called to order at 6:48 p.m. by Planning Commission Chairman Kathi Grandillo. ROLL CALL: Present: Also Present: Laura Duguay Peter French Sarah Gilmore Kathi Grandillo John Kokinchak Denise Januska, Director, Planning, Zoning & Bldg. Division Dean DePiero, Law Director John Trew, Director, Public Services Scott Wolf, Councilman, At-Large Jack Burge, Director of Economic Development Andrew Lumpkins, Lieutenant, Police Department Corinne Craine, Commission Clerk Mr. DePiero swore in those in attendance who wished to speak this evening. AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA & SUBMISSION OF SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION There were none. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: To approve the public hearing minutes of June 7, 2017, as submitted Mr. Kokinchak moved; Mrs. Gilmore seconded, and the motion carried, 4-0-1, on a roll call vote. Yeas: Mr. Kokinchak, Mrs. Gilmore, Mrs. Duguay, Mrs. Grandillo Abstentions: Mr. French To approve the meeting minutes of June 7, 2017, as submitted Mrs. Duguay moved; Mrs. Gilmore seconded, and the motion carried, 4-0-1, on a roll call vote. Yeas: Mrs. Duguay, Mrs. Gilmore, Mr. Kokinchak, Mrs. Grandillo Abstentions: Mr. French AGENDA ITEMS:
MEETING MINUTES PAGE 2 The Concrete Guys/M. O. Hauling, 1340 Page Road Conditional Zoning Certificate / Exterior Storage in Industrial Area (1705014) The applicants, Mike Ostetrico of M. O. Hauling, and Jim Scalia of The Concrete Guys, are current business owners in Aurora and both were present for the discussion. Also, Chris Moser of Gateway Towing, 1340 Page Road, acted as their representative and spoke on their behalf. The applicants lease space at 1340 Page Road which is an office/warehouse facility owned by Mr. Lou Telerico. The applicants are seeking a conditional zoning certificate (CZC) to allow an exterior area for storage of construction equipment and trucks. This property is located in an I-1 manufacturing, processing and wholesaling district. Mr. Moser provided an overview. The applicants are proposing to install a 60 x 200 parking area on adjacent property to be used for storage of semi-trucks and construction equipment that are required for their business operations. In addition, they are proposing to install a landscaping mound with trees in order to provide screening of this storage area. It was noted that Mr. Moser has a land contract for the adjacent property and he has authorized construction of the proposed storage area. Mrs. Grandillo pointed out that the members were provided a history of the enforcement that had been done regarding this property. She then introduced Lieutenant Andrew Lumpkins of the Aurora Police Department and said that he was available to answer any questions about this enforcement. Mr. French had some questions about the enforcement. Mrs. Januska explained that the Planning, Zoning and Building Department in conjunction with the Police have been monitoring this property over the last few years. There have been citations issued to M. O. Hauling and The Concrete Guys for violating zoning codes such as open storage of vehicle parts, junk, and construction equipment and illegal parking of trucks in fire lanes. As part of the enforcement, the city wanted the applicants to obtain a conditional zoning certificate for the proposed exterior storage area. If the CZC is approved, there would be several conditions to which the applicants must adhere and they would have 30 to 60 days to implement them. Mr. DePiero wanted the Commissioners to be aware that the city has been stepping up enforcement of this property and they will continue to aggressively enforce the ordinances in the future. If the conditional zoning is approved and the conditions are not met, then the city would take serious action, including revocation of the CZC, against the applicants. Mr. Moser commented that the surrounding residents have been upset about the property for a long time and he thought that the CZC was a step in the right direction for cleaning up the property and for appeasing the neighbors. The applicants have been working closely with the city and this proposal was the best solution for all parties concerned. Mr. Kokinchak said that he visited the site recently and had seen several wrecked vehicles on this adjacent property that were visible from the road. Mr. Moser said that there were six vehicles parked for a few days on that site and they were later moved to the Streetsboro Fire Department for training purposes.
MEETING MINUTES PAGE 3 Mr. Kokinchak commented that he noticed that there was damage to front yards on Page Road and whether or not that could be addressed. Mr. Moser said that the damage is due to truck drivers being lost on Page Road and causing damage to the neighboring properties. Unfortunately, it was something that was beyond his control. Mrs. Grandillo asked the members for further comments and there were none. She then opened the floor for public comments. Amy Varney, 580 Bartlett Road, spoke about her frustration with large trucks causing damage to her yard. She commented that Page Road was not designed to handle these large trucks and that there needs to be an access road constructed in order to direct traffic to the industrial area and away from Page Road. Deb Conti, 234 S. Chillicothe Road, wanted more information about the 30 to 60 day deadline condition. Mrs. Januska said that one of the CZC conditions would require the applicants to build the mound and install the landscaping within a specified time frame which would be somewhere between 30 and 60 days. Kanak Amin, 610 Bartlett Road, was opposed to the proposed exterior storage area. He said that M. O. Hauling has been repairing trucks outside when, in fact, the repair work should be done within an enclosed building. Also, the many citations that have been issued by the Police Department demonstrates that the tenants and the property owner are irresponsible. Mrs. Grandillo stated that the Commission intends to take a vote tonight and she started a discussion about the CZC conditions. Mrs. Januska presented her conditions which included the following: 1) the installation of a mound, at least eight feet in height, which extends the width of the property, 2) the planting of six-foot pine trees as close together as possible in order to provide complete screening of the trucks and equipment, 3) the widening of the south entrance in order to accommodate large trucks, 4) the strict adherence to the Aurora noise ordinance, and 5) the conditions must be in place within sixty days of the approval of the CZC. At this point, Mr. Kokinchak wanted to add more conditions and the members agreed. The conditions included: the widening of both the north and south entrance driveways and the planting of pine trees on the north side of the building for additional screening. To forward a positive recommendation to City Council for the approval of the conditional zoning certificate for exterior storage in an industrial area with the conditions as put into the record by Mrs. Januska and Mr. Kokinchak Mrs. Duguay moved; Mr. Kokinchak seconded, and the motion carried, 4-0, on a roll call vote. Yeas: Mrs. Duguay, Mr. Kokinchak, Mrs. Gilmore, Mrs. Grandillo ARI (McMaster-Carr), South Chillicothe Road & Lena Drive Preliminary & Final Site Plan (Warehouse) (1706015) The project engineer, Matthew Weber of Weber Engineering Services, 2555 Hartville Road,
MEETING MINUTES PAGE 4 Rootstown, Ohio, was present to answer questions. The applicant is seeking preliminary and final site plan approval for a new warehouse facility to be located at South Chillicothe Road and Lena Drive, which is in an I-1 industrial zoning district. Mr. Weber provided an overview of the project. McMaster-Carr is proposing to construct an approximately 410,000 square foot warehouse facility with parking for 74 vehicles on an 84-acre parcel. The building will be primarily used for warehouse space and a small office. He noted that the project requires a front yard setback variance and they have applied to the Board of Zoning Appeals for the July 12 th meeting. Mrs. Gilmore wanted to know about any future plans for expansion at this site. Mr. Weber explained that the site has a lot of wetlands and it would be difficult, if not impossible, to expand the facility at this location. Mrs. Grandillo asked the members for further questions and there were none. She then opened the floor for public comments. Violet DeSouza, 374 Rainbows End, spoke of her concerns about increased storm water runoff and the impact it would have on her property which is in the Walden subdivision. Mr. Weber stated that the plan does include an engineered design for controlling storm water runoff and he was confident that it will meet all the city s storm water code requirements. Mrs. Januska pointed out that the plan would be reviewed by the City Engineer in order to make sure that all the engineering, including the storm water management, meets city codes before the plan gets approved by the Planning Commission. To accept the preliminary and final site plan for study Mr. French moved; Mr. Kokinchak seconded, and the motion carried, 5-0, on a roll call vote. Yeas: Mr. French, Mr. Kokinchak, Mrs. Duguay, Mrs. Gilmore, Mrs. Grandillo ARI (McMaster-Carr), South Chillicothe Road & Lena Drive Wetland Setback Variances (1706016-1706018) The project engineer, Matt Weber of Weber Engineering Services, 2555 Hartville Road, Rootstown, Ohio, was present. The applicant is seeking three wetland setback variances: (A) 68.7-foot variance, (B) 65-foot variance, and (C) 72-foot variance in order to construct a warehouse facility. This site is located on the west side of South Chillicothe Road and Lena Drive which is in an I-1 industrial district. Mrs. Grandillo commented that the Commission just held a public hearing and heard the applicant s presentation. She then asked Mr. Weber for any additional comments.
MEETING MINUTES PAGE 5 Mr. Weber stated that their submittal included the ORAM scores and the full wetland delineation and he was confident that the wetland setback variance requests would meet all of the city s requirements. Mrs. Januska commented that as part of the review process, the Chagrin River Watershed Partners will review the variance requests and submit a report with their recommendations. To accept the wetland setback variance requests for study Mrs. Gilmore moved; Mrs. Duguay seconded, and the motion carried, 5-0, on a roll call vote. Yeas: Mrs. Gilmore, Mrs. Duguay, Mr. French, Mr. Kokinchak, Mrs. Grandillo Mrs. Grandillo suggested that application no. 1706021 for Kim Schaefer be discussed last tonight and the members all agreed. To move agenda item 7d to the end of the agenda Mrs. Gilmore moved; Mr. French seconded, and the motion carried, 5-0, on a roll call vote. Yeas: Mrs. Gilmore, Mr. French, Mrs. Duguay, Mr. Kokinchak, Mrs. Grandillo Aurora Real Estate Investments LLC, Lena Drive Minor Subdivision / Lot Split (1706020) The property owner s attorney, John Monroe of Mansour Gavin LPA, 1001 Lakeside Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, was present to discuss the application. The applicant is proposing to split an existing 32-acre parcel located between 225 and 777 Lena Drive which is in an I-1 industrial zoning district. Mr. Monroe explained that his client, Aurora Real Estate Investments, is proposing to subdivide a 32-acre parcel into two parcels: a 7.4-acre parcel and a 24.8-acre parcel. He said that the owner already has a buyer for the 24.8-acre parcel, which is the proposed site for a new Geis Construction development. Mrs. Grandillo asked for comments or questions and there were none. To approve the minor subdivision/lot split for Aurora Real Estate Investments Mrs. Gilmore moved; Mrs. Duguay seconded, and the motion carried, 5-0, on a roll call vote. Yeas: Mrs. Gilmore, Mrs. Duguay, Mr. French, Mr. Kokinchak, Mrs. Grandillo Geis Construction, Lena Drive Preliminary Site Plan (Industrial Building) (1706019)
MEETING MINUTES PAGE 6 Greg Seifert of Geis Construction, 10020 Aurora-Hudson Road, Streetsboro, Ohio, was present. The applicant is seeking preliminary plan approval for the construction of a new industrial building to be located between 225 and 777 Lena Drive which is in an I-1 industrial district. Mr. Seifert provided a description of the project. The applicant is proposing to construct a 148,750 square foot building with a potential 100,000 square foot expansion on 14.7 acres of land. This project is a new facility for Trelleborg Engineered Systems. He explained that Trelleborg plans to consolidate three existing facilities, which are located in Aurora and Streetsboro, and move into this new building. Mrs. Gilmore wanted to know the time frame for the possible expansion. Mr. Seifert said that there was no time frame for the expansion right now. To accept the preliminary site plan for study Mr. Kokinchak moved; Mrs. Duguay seconded, and the motion carried, 5-0, on a roll call vote. Yeas: Mr. Kokinchak, Mrs. Duguay, Mr. French, Mrs. Gilmore, Mrs. Grandillo Kim Schaefer, 640 E. Pioneer Trail Conditional Zoning Certificate / Residential Conservation Development (1706021) The property owners, Kim and Patrice Schaefer, 640 E. Pioneer Trail, were present to answer questions. They are seeking a conditional zoning certificate (CZC) for a residential conservation development (RCD). The proposed development would be located at 640 E. Pioneer Trail in an R-2 residential zoning district. There is pending litigation, Portage County Case No. 2016 CV 00855, William F. Beljon v. Kim E. Schaefer et al., which relates to this application. Mr. Schaefer provided an overview. He is proposing to create a residential conservation development from an 11-acre parcel at 640 E. Pioneer Trail. The development would consist of three one-acre sublots, five acres of green space, and have access off of Beljon Lane, which is located within the proposed Beljon Farms subdivision. He explained that the three sublots would share a private driveway which would be maintained by the three property owners. Also, this plan includes a proposed 25-foot buffer between sublot 1 and the adjacent property owner at 634 E. Pioneer Trial. Mr. Schaefer said that the landscaped buffer was requested by Mr. Myers and he has agreed to do that for him. At this point in the discussion, Mr. DePiero wanted to make some comments. He explained that there was an executive session with the Commissioners earlier this evening and the pending litigation was discussed. He said that there has been long-time legal issues with the Beljons, Schaefers, Myerses, and the city regarding the location of Pioneer Trail and access to it. In order to come to a resolution, an agreement had been reached to allow Mr. Schaefer to create this RCD with three one-acre lots and five acres of green space. Currently, the zoning allows the applicant to build two homes with very little green space and, therefore, the proposed RCD was a fair trade-off as part of the settlement. Mr. DePiero believed that this resolution was in the
MEETING MINUTES PAGE 7 best interests of the city and it would not adversely affect the use of the property or the surrounding areas. Mrs. Grandillo thanked Mr. DePiero for the clarification. She then asked for comments or questions. Deb Conti, 234 S. Chillicothe Road, wanted to know who would own the five acres of green space. Mr. DePiero stated that the green space would be maintained and owned by the Schaefers. Lynn Stepanek, 664 E. Pioneer Trail, was concerned about traffic safety and increased traffic on Pioneer Trail. Mr. DePiero explained that a traffic study was performed and the report was available to the public. He said that there was a line of sight issue regarding Pioneer Trail and the traffic engineer has indicated that the proposed entrance to the Beljon Farms subdivision has been placed in the safest location. Fred Pisanelli, 600 Page Road, wanted to know whether an existing road for the gas well would be relocated. Mr. Schaefer said that a portion of the road most likely would have to be relocated. To forward a positive recommendation to City Council for the approval of the conditional zoning certificate for a residential conservation development Mr. French moved; Mr. Kokinchak seconded, and the motion carried, 5-0, on a roll call vote. Yeas: Mr. French, Mr. Kokinchak, Mrs. Duguay, Mrs. Gilmore, Mrs. Grandillo MISCELLANEOUS: There was none. ADJOURNMENT: Mrs. Gilmore moved to adjourn at 7:52 p.m.; Mrs. Duguay seconded, and the motion carried, 5-0, on a roll call vote. Yeas: Mrs. Gilmore, Mrs. Duguay, Mr. French, Mr. Kokinchak, Mrs. Grandillo Kathi Grandillo, Chairman Corinne Craine, Clerk