Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

He go ahead and sent me what they needed. Good morning. We're going to help go ahead and get started. Today is Tuesday, April 21st. This is the Elyria City Planning Commission meeting. I'll call the meeting to order. Uh roll call, Mayor Brubaker. Here. Director Pynooski. Here. Sam Battle. Here. Tom Aden. Here. Eric Tedrow. Barry Hubbard. Here. And Maggie Rivera.

Here. Great. Uh at this time I'll entertain a motion to the approve the minutes of March 10th, 2025. Uh that should be 2026 on our agenda. Correct, Ms. Tomsic? Yeah, I don't want to go back a year. Um so it'd be March 10th of 2026 as presented. Do I have a motion? So moved. Moved by Mr. Battle. Seconded. Seconded by Mr. Hubbard. Any further discussion? All in favor, I. I. Opposed, nay. Motion carried. Uh we have no miscellaneous correspondence this morning. We have no old business this morning. We have no new business this morning. We do have one public hearing. Public hearing 2026-001-000-31, Comprehensive Ventures Unlimited Inc., 620 East River Street, requesting a variance from section 1160.02 of the Elyria Codified Ordinances to allow for an accessory use of a helipad on parcel without a principal use. A variance request from section 1160.03 of the Elyria Codified Ordinances to allow the structure to be 4 ft 8 in from the lot line as opposed to the required 6 ft from the lot line. Are there any proponents? Please come to the microphone. State your name and address for the record, please. Okay, good morning. My name is Gordon Gant. And I am counsel for University Hospitals of Elyria Medical Center located right next door at 630 East River Street. Um I am here today just to speak on behalf of the hospital noting our request for variances noted here is in concert with a proposed lot split which I know will be handled separately. But the two variances that have been requested, we've been in regular discussion with Mr. Shoenig and the City Planning Office and that we received the reviews as noted in the staff report with support from the City Engineer, Fire Marshall, and Elyria Water Reclamation Group to

approve these variances. They are um uh uh relatively I hope minor in nature. I will note that with respect to the accessory use issue, we do plan to do some additional lot consolidation as we've been doing over the last couple of years so that the parcel that will remain part of the hospital will be consolidated with the larger hospital parcel and therefore negate this sort of accessory use issue in the near future. But in the interim requesting this variance to to assist with the lot split. Right. Thank you. Mhm. Uh comments from staff, Mr. Shoenig. Thank you, Mr. Chair. The request here for variances for section 1160.02, a accessory use being a helipad without a principal use as well as 1160.03, deviation from the requirement of 6 ft from the lot lines, a reduction of 1.2 ft. Um going through what we have been provided by University Hospitals, applicant has indicated that they will be consolidating the remaining parcels on their property that will eliminate the concern of the helipad without having a principal use. But of course as of right now, we we need to go about the proper procedure and seek the variance for this. The second one is a slight deviation as you've seen from my staff report here from the requirements of the code, a reduction of 1.2 ft. It is close. I did denote that there may be concerns from the building code at a later time due to the noise from this helipad for the end user, whatever it may be for the McKinley School. But of course that being outside of the scope of the zoning code, no other concerns from staff. Thank you. Great. Thank you, Mr. Shoenig. Any comments from City Engineer Schneider? Engineering has no comments. Any comments from Fire Marshall Gaul? Fire Department has no comment. Thank

you. Any questions from the commission? Director Pynooski. Uh sir, I'm I'm I'm curious if you could help us understand why was this location chosen for the helipad? Because as you look at the you know just looking at the the the drawing the the walkway that comes out from the hospital jogs in that direction. So had it come straight out, we wouldn't even you wouldn't need the variance. I'm just curious it might help understand help to understand why this location was chosen for the specifically for that helipad there. Well, certainly it was it was chosen in part for the proximity to the emergency department as you noted there was a jog there. I believe that was just based on the survey and construction planning the site was selected. I don't know my colleague here if there's any any additional insight that you have. But it was selected just based on construction needs is my understanding. Okay. Is there is there intended So I I recognize that goes direct access to the emergency room and that's part of what you're doing. I I appreciate that. Is there any what's the what's the intended use for the rest of that parcel as it's currently Is that going to be split off or there's quite a bit of land there. Yeah, there is. We may there is the potential that we may add some additional parking to that parcel because there's a I think a need for additional parking specifically in service of the emergency room and patients who are coming in and out of there. Um so that is is on the table. But beyond that, I don't think that there's any other plans to develop that particular part of the parcel. Okay, thank you. Mhm. Any other questions from the commission? All right. Are there any proponents? Are there any proponents? Are there any proponents? Are there any opponents? From the microphone, state your name and address for the record, please. Uh Whitney Oliver, 346 University, Elyria, Ohio. And your comments, please. Yes. So

for the residents who are on the um properties abutting this whole thing, there is concern regarding what specific lot lines this this reduction um from the 6 ft to the 4.8 is pertaining to. There's a lot of houses that back up to those fields. Um and they've already changed the helicopter routes to fly directly over the houses. So it's just kind of becoming apparent that this is going to be a bigger issue I think unless people get more information. So I'm just I'm opposed to it currently because I don't think the residents have enough information about what is actually happening. Okay, thank you. Thanks. Mr. Shoenig, after the meeting if you could share the this drawing with her so she can kind of see where this lot line is and what it directly affects as versus the adjoining properties, please. Thank you. Are there any opponents? Are there any opponents? Are there any opponents? Clearly the public hearing has been held. Any further comments from the commission? Seeing none, I will entertain a motion to approve 2026-001-000-31, Comprehensive Ventures Unlimited Inc., 620 East River Street for the request from a variance from section 1160.02 of the Elyria Codified Ordinance to allow for an accessory use of a helipad on parcel without principal use. The variance to request from section 1160.03 of the Elyria Codified Ordinances to allow the structure to be 4 ft 8 in from the lot line as opposed to 6 ft from the lot line. Do I have a motion to approve? So moved. Moved by Ms. Rivera. Do I have a second? Seconded by Mr. Hubbard. Any further discussion? All in favor, signify by I. I. Opposed,

nay. Motion carried. Thank you. The next two items on the agenda are two Planning Commission cases. The first one is 2026-001-000-32, request for a lot split of parcel 0625074- 101-001 into two parcels to allow for the sale of the former McKinley School. Someone here to speak on this, please. Again, state your name and address for the record. Absolutely. Again, my name is Gordon Gant. I'm counsel for University Hospitals of Elyria Medical Center located 630 East River. Um this in concert with what we just discussed is a proposed split of this lot um to reserve under continued ownership the rear portion which also contains the helipad. Um the forward portion we are splitting off in contemplation of potential sale of of that building for further development. Okay. Mr. Shoenig, comments from staff. Thank you, Mr. Chair. As this is for the lot split in and of itself, the previous case means for the variance. Staff has reviewed the application here. It did not meet the requirements of section 1111.02 and 1116.02. Traditionally, these can be approved administratively by staff as we have been empowered to do that for a minor subdivision. But as there was need for variance, that is why it is here in front of you this this morning. Um but the applicant has indicated um in the previous uh submittal where the proposed lot line is. There are no other concerns from staff uh other than the city engineer did denote that there are potential storm sewers on site. Um, there has been as you can see in your exhibit C that

was provided to you in the staff report, there are delineations shown on the survey indicating where those uh storm sewers may be. There is definitely one on the western portion. The eastern portion could not be verified at this time. Therefore, we recommend approval with condition that the applicant provides an easement for the storm sewers uh base uh located on the properties to ensure access by the city. Uh at a later time that will be approved or brought through rather city council for uh determination. Thank you. Great. Thank you, Mr. Shoning. Any further comments from Engineer Schneider? No additional comments from engineering. Any comments from Fire Marshall Gaul? No no comments from fire department. Uh to the applicant uh provided we pass this with the approval is UH okay with that?

Yes. Yeah, we're we're we understand the need for easements and are supportive of granting this. So, yes, we'll be doing that. Is there any comments from the commission? Questions? A question just for Mr. Shoning, the what is the current zoning and and like what sort of uh permitted um uses are going to be for the prior school or what will need to happen before that goes to something other than the school? Uh yes, so uh through the chair to uh Mr. Hubbard, the uh there was a rezoning held last year for this property. It was previously residential two household uh which did not permit hospital uses at that time. Uh University Hospitals went through the process here as you may recall last year uh to rezone this property to business general uh which permits hospital uses. Of course, as many of you are aware, the new zoning code will be enacted May 1st. This would have a zoning designation of commercial uh which does allow for some mixed use uh within that area. Mixed use as well as uh multi-family residential on the property. If the applicant deviates uh the end user rather for the McKinley school deviates from those standards, they would of course have to go through a rezoning process. Um, but no information is available at this time of what the end user is there. And Mr. Hubbard? Any other questions from the commission? All right. Is there any comments from the audience? If none, I will entertain a motion to approve Planning Commission Case 2026-001 00032 and the request uh for a lot split of parcel 06250741010201 into two parcels to allow for the sale of former McKinley school with the condition that the applicant provides an easement for the storm sewers located on the properties to ensure access by the

city. Do I have a motion? So moved. Moved by Ms. Rivera. That was seconded by Director Panowski. Any further discussion? All in favor signify by I. I. Opposed nay. Motion carried. Thank you. Next item on the agenda is Planning Commission Case 2026-100025 B Next Awning and Graphics Inc. of 5109 Clark Ave, Cleveland, Ohio 44102 for 416 Middle Avenue, Elyria, Ohio 44035 and request for a wave waiver of design review guidelines for the installation of signance. Is the proponent here, please? Please come to the microphone, state your name and address for the record. Alejandro Durabudani, uh 11212 Peony Avenue, Elyria, Ohio. Proceed. Um

[clears throat]

Sorry, this is my third time doing this. I'm still kind of new to this. Trying to get into this. So, uh Yeah, so basically we're just presenting uh Fairfield Education Centers. Um, it's right on 416 Middle Avenue, Elyria. Basically, we have a education center. Um, the sign in front is to attract people um to the business as well as shielding um the children away from outside lookers with the four wall or the 15 wall signs um which are transparent which you could see from the inside, but or you can see outside, but you can't see inside. Um All the word I'm looking for, measurements are on the page as you can see. Um We also have a awning in the front to shield from rain. Um And yeah. Okay, that's Sorry, uh That's okay. Uh Mr. Shoning. Uh thank you, Mr. Chair. 416 Middle Avenue, the design review waiver request uh did go through our Board of Zoning Appeals late last week for the zoning component of this um as it was significantly over the requirements for zoning uh regarding the window signs which would be classified as wall signs per our zoning code as it doesn't speak to uh window signs. Uh at the end of the day as indicated by the applicants, the concerns of uh safety uh and security of the children being within these facilities uh not having the windows blocked off as the original use of this building was a storefront. Uh I concur that uh there should be a deviation from the design review

guidelines as the this would promote safety and security of the children within the facility. Uh the second uh design review guideline waiver request here is for uh acrylic faces which are deemed plastic. Um this has gone through this uh commission before and approved of course uh and just for the record as well, we are working on updates to design review guidelines to uh remedy some of these consistent issues that we've had uh historically. Uh but the main concern being the obscuring storefronts and upper windows is not permitted in the downtown uh for the per the design review guidelines, uh recommend uh deviation from this requirement. Thank you. Great. Thank you, Mr. Shoning. Um Engineer Schneider, any comments? Engineering has no comments. Fire Marshall Gaul. Fire department, no comments. Any questions from the commission? Director Panowski. Uh this is for I I assume Mr. Shoning, you know you'll know the answer to this. This this facility is already operating, correct? I mean, there's already a daycare or what have you is already operating in this location. I do not have that information at this time. I do not.

Mr., can you confirm that? My father would be able to confirm that. I would not be able to. I'm sorry.

Yeah, I'm more more curiosity than anything. I've had some interactions with the the property for different reasons. I was just curious what its current status is. I obviously this is about an exterior improvement. I appreciate that. So, all right, thanks. And I I will state even though it's not in the downtown corridor, there was a child care or is a child care center on Cleveland Street uh that has a very similar product if not the same product in their windows for the same reason. Uh although I know it's not downtown, but there is another product there. So, is there any questions from the commission? Seeing none, I'll entertain a motion to approve Planning Commission Case 2026-100025 B Next Awning and Graphics Inc. 5109 Clark Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44102 for 416 Middle Avenue, Elyria, Ohio 44035 and the request for a waiver of design review guidelines for the installation of signance signage. Do I have a motion? So moved. Moved by Ms. Rivera. Seconded by Director Panowski. Any further comments? All in favor signify by I. I. Opposed nay. Motion carried. Thank you. Appreciate it.

Have a good one. You did well for your first time. Yeah, third time. Third time. Uh item number nine are two design review applications that were approved by city staff. Uh is there any questions on those from the commission? Seeing none, there are no staff and commission reports at this time. Our next meeting will is scheduled for May 12th, 2026. I will entertain a motion to adjourn the Planning Commission meeting for today. Moved by Mr. Hubbard. Seconded by Ms. Rivera. Any further questions? All in favor I. I. Opposed nay. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned. Thank you very much. Yes. Is that building in the corner of Harris and Middle? Which Uh it is