About this meeting
- Government Body
- Planning Commission
- Meeting Type
- Planning Commission
- Location
- Westlake, OH
- Meeting Date
- October 6, 2025
Transcript
695 sections (from 752 segments)
Stay out
of it. I'm good.
That's a good idea. I'd like to call this 10/06/2025 planning commission meeting to order. Trying to do the We'll do a recording first.
The Westlake Planning Commission complies with Ohio's Sunshine Law. The procedure, the meeting will be called to order, and the clerk will take the roll call. The commission will then approve the minutes of the previous meeting. The council representative will then present the council report. Commission business, when your project is called, please come to the podium, place your drawings on the document table, and they will then be projected on the screen for all to see.
The applicant or representative making the request, state their name and address for the record. Please make a short presentation speaking into the microphone. Everyone making comments or presentation to the commission must speak into the microphone. City staff will give a staff report on the project. We will then hear from the audience. Any member of the audience that wishes to speak will have to speak into the microphone and state their name and address for the record. We ask that audience members speak one at a time after giving their name and address. This is for the purpose of the minutes for the meeting. Please speak clearly. The applicant will respond to public comments.
Again, we ask that people speak one at a time. The Planning Commission members will have an opportunity to make comments and ask any questions that they may have. The Commission will then take action.
Great, thank you. Roll call please. Del Ragneaux.
Here.
Smith. Here. Van Dyke. Here. Jones. Here. Mel Cohen. Here. Got a quorum? Thank you. Do we
have a council report? Councilman Van Dyke?
Nothing to report.
Great. Thank you. We'll move right into business.
Alright. Yeah. My pen died.
Okay. The first item on the agenda is Acorn Creek sign Plan. The applicant will come up for that one. Thank you.
What about minutes? Do we need a
forgot to
do the minutes.
Minutes of nine eight.
Sorry about that. Okay. One minute. All good. Can I have a motion to approve the minutes from nine 08:25?
So moved.
Second. Roll call, please. Smith? Yes. Van Dyke? Yes. Jones? Yes. Del Cone? Yes. Del Ragneaux? Yes. Motion
carries. Thank you. Now we'll start with Acorn Creek.
Oh, yes. So this is a reconsideration, which is something that you're able to do because you had just approved this at the last meeting. There was a condition that the letterbox signed with the wording Bobby Lane and Patty Park is shifted 15 inches so it is against the column with an equal spacing on the other side of the sign. It's been redesigned and the homeowners association does not like the new design. They would prefer the original one.
They feel that it's visually off balance and doesn't align with their aesthetic expectations. And so they're just formally requesting to reconsider and allow it as it originally was designed. So this is the original design here. And then that was per your requirement. And I'll go back to that.
I'm sure you're going to want me to do that. So if agree to amend it, there is language that you see on the screen. It's also in those are the same conditions from previously only it omits that third condition regarding that lower sign panel. Otherwise, if you choose to uphold the prior condition from last month, don't have to do anything. Thank you.
Thank you very much, Mr. Verdell. Welcome.
Hi. Ben Geschke, G E S C H K E, 8982 Dutton Drive. Yeah, we took I believe it was you that requested the change or the address plaque to just be shifted. I know it's a very minimal change and I didn't see that much of a problem with it. However, the HOA and the property manager, they were totally against it and they just thought it looked odd. And even my designer stated when she did make the change, was like, are you sure this is what they wanted? So she was a little uncertain as well. So they just wanted to be centered beneath a private community. And I actually did a sign in North Olmsted with a very similar build. I have a picture.
Do you
mind kind of showing Sure.
You want, you can put it where that is and we'll see if we can project it.
Yeah.
Give me a second here for this to pull up.
Why you can't see it that way?
So that shows how the column kind of extends out a little further than the base does. So that's one of the reasons why my designer was a little sketchy at first. But ultimately, they do like the center underneath the sign itself much better.
Thank you. Anyone from the audience want to speak on
this? Go
ahead.
Councilman Van Dyke go ahead.
So why don't you put that back up. And so let me so that was so what the difference between that sign and what you proposed here is is exactly what would be fine is that the column is sticking out a little bit and so then having it centered under that sign is absolutely makes sense. And so but you weren't doing that you're doing one flush or is that column supposed to be
The column does extend a little bit further out, yeah.
It is. Oh, okay. That's easy. Because that's not showing on your drawing.
Got it, okay.
If you drew that line down there and then, so the other thing is if I draw the line down that's not centered on this drawing. What I would say is if you were saying the column sticks out and this is then centered below Acorn Creek so it's right in the middle,
you
have my vote.
Good deal. Okay.
Mrs. Smith? I'm in in the interest of brevity, I'm gonna echo councilman Van Dyke's comments. It should be centered below the sign above.
I agree with councilman Van Dyke.
Mr. Del Ragneaux?
I agree.
I would agree too. Can we have a motion?
Yes. Nope. We need to Probably could wing this one. Oh, no. I guess not. Okay. So based upon the fines of fact, I moved to approve the Acorn Creek sign plan with the following. One, condition that any future lighting is submitted for submitted to staff approval, and two, modification for the sign to be less than 10 feet from the plan right away and less than 10 feet from the edge of the driveway. Do we need to re do do we need to do a motion to reconsider the last one first or no?
Technically, yes.
Alright. So I'm gonna bail on everything I just did and then I'll make a motion to reconsider our approval of the Acorn Creek sign plan from the what was the date of the last meeting?
September, right? Eighth.
From the September 8 meeting.
Yes. September 8.
Second. Roll call, please.
Van Dyke? Yes. Jones? Yes. Bell Cohn? Yes. Del Reigno?
Yes.
Smith? Yes. Motion carries.
Alright. Now based upon the fines of fact, I move to approve the Acorn Creek sign plan, as resubmitted for the 10/06/2025 meeting, with the following. One condition that any future lighting is submitted to staff for approval. And two modification for the sign to be less than 10 feet from the plan right away and less than 10 feet from the edge of the
driveway. Second.
And and I would like to have you add item three or two, however you wanna do it. Three. Yeah. That the, pilaster is, how far does it come out from the sign face?
The call the what you mean?
The the column that's sticking up.
How far
does two inches each side off of the base.
Alright. We'll come out two inches. And that the actual Bobby Lane and Patty Park sign will be located centered under the Acorn Creek sign.
Yes. I'm fine with adding that.
Okay. Second.
Roll call, please. Jones?
Yes.
Falcone? Yes. Brett Del Reigno?
Yes.
Smith? Yes. Van Dyke? Yes. Motion carries.
Great. Thank you very much.
Thank you for your time.
I appreciate Thanks.
Next item on the agenda, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints development plan. And that has been tabled at the request of the applicant. So I don't we just need to table it.
Yes. Can I have a motion to table?
Yes. Move to table the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints development plan pavilion to the 11/10/2025 meeting. Second.
Roll call, please. Bell Calm? Yes. Del Reigno? Yes. Smith? Yes. Van Dyke? Yes. Jones? Yes. Motion carries. Great.
Thank you. Next item on the agenda is Chancellight site improvements playground and parking lot.
Yep. 24650 Center Ridge Road. So as you know, purpose of this is a playground for the new school. It's been partially constructed. And we've gone, of course, over the school. So we won't go over how the school operates and everything like that. But I'll just try to go over what has changed. So they have removed some parking spaces. Where's the design at? Here we go.
And then I'm going skip around a little bit. They've indicated a number of parking spaces that you see that they will remove plus to add some striping to make it safe. Just to the north of the parking lot though, I'm actually recommending that a few more spaces. I believe Mr. Del Reigno, I think, pointed this out last time that you've got a row of parking there that will dead end into the playground.
And that's not going to be a good situation if cars are parked there that somebody might have to back up a long ways, which is not something that you really want to do with that sort of thing. So with that said, I'll back up. So with that, I think that there's going to be about seven more parking spaces north that should be removed. And I think it's around 25 spaces give or take. They they have a surplus of 31 spaces right now.
So that's not you know from a zoning standpoint it doesn't really affect the overall parking needs for the site. And that's by code. Realistically offices don't have as many employees as they did when these buildings were first constructed about fifty years ago. So there's probably going to be even more of a surplus than that. Also what we're suggesting strongly suggesting is that the school invest in a couple of these signs.
Whatever style works best. Probably the the one that's like the sandwich board sign because they're more portable and easier to stack. But something that they can have out with them so that when they're using actively using the playground as drivers are driving through there they'll see that and they'll slow down. I've seen that in other schools that have similar circumstances where there's a playground separated from the building. So most of this has remained the same.
It's really it's just kind of re striping things but pretty much everything else. There was a comment about the signage that they were providing and that's been reworked to now read adult supervision is required at all times. Playground is open only during school hours. Sorry, there's a lot of slides here. Yeah.
This is the slide. So that's what I read from. So this this will be changed. So with that, if you are able to make a recommendation tonight, and for those of you in the audience the Planning Commission is a recommending body in terms of some items like this one so they would be making a recommendation to City Council. City Council would ultimately have to approve or deny or approve with conditions.
So there still is the modification to be within the 40 foot side yard setback. So that would need to be and there's a buffering requirement that would need to be waived as well. And a condition again a playground that it's remained locked when not in use. Restricted to school operations only. And Ballard specifications that are administratively approved by the city engineer. Seven parking spaces north of the playground are removed. Safety signs are positioned for clear visibility to drivers entering the lot. Movable safety signs are placed at the crosswalk during school hours. Thank you.
Thank you very much. Welcome. Thank you. Name and address for
the record, please? My name is Laura Wolf. 4814 Ridgebury Boulevard, Lyndhurst.
Thank you.
And I'm an architect representing these clients, and I agree with everything you said. I don't know if I have anything to add.
Thank you. Would anyone else like to speak from the group? Okay.
Thank
you. Would anyone from the audience like to speak on this? Oh, you'd have to come forward, sir, and state your name and speak into the microphone. Thank you.
My name is Tom.
Can come
in closer on the mic. I'm sorry.
Tom It's m y s l I w I e c. I live at 1931 Ainsley In Apartment 405.
Great. Thank you.
King James Court, I think. I'm sorry. Or whatever. Anyway, Ellen just asked me to ask if there was gonna be a barrier between the road and the playground. And my other concern would be they're gonna put the rubber cushioning in.
Right?
Yes.
They're gonna be, know, maintenance. Somebody gonna be watching for when that stuff gets all over the place and fixing it?
It'll be contained within the the designated area.
Yeah. I mean, I I've known I've seen other playgrounds, I've seen it get distributed. And I just like to assure that somebody's gonna be there to put it back.
Yes. I think so.
Thank you.
Thank you very much. Thank you.
Thank you.
Hello. Welcome.
Ellen Goggin. Nineteen thirty one King James Parkway. The reason that I'm glad to see that they're moving the playground. But right there's only five feet of grass between where the playground was and our driveway, which our residents, a 108 families, go sometimes from the back to the front so that area is used. And also, adjacent to the school opening, one of the areas is our driveway into our lower garage.
So we have activity going on there. What we said the last time is we need some kind of a barrier, maybe a small fence or something to deter now, another problem has come up, and not really with the school, and it's not their problem. But after school, we've been getting other children from the area going in to the parking lot. So I know that's not yours, but if we had some kind of a barrier, we're just so worried that something may happen with one of our drivers going into a garage or to the other garage that, you know, so would be a problem. So that's what we're asking for.
Some kind of a barrier and not a tree. I see some trees up there that wouldn't make it with little kids.
Great. Thank you. Thank you. Would anyone else like to speak on it from the public? And I guess I would ask the applicant or the architect. So the barrier, is there a barrier proposed?
Well, there's a four foot fence around all four sides
Yep.
And bollards that would stop a vehicle.
Correct. Okay. And then the other question okay. I think they both had the same question about the barrier, so I think we're good. And the rubber, they'll just clean it up daily, hopefully.
And there's, railroad ties that keep it contained. Okay. Got it. Alright.
Sir, if you're gonna speak, have to come up to the mic. You need to come right up to the mic. Sorry.
I'm sorry. I think I think she was referring to the barrier, along our roadway to block anybody from jumping in front of a car. We got older people driving.
So the four foot fence, though, I think is what she's saying is acting as the barrier.
And on your side of the property, there's a four there's a six inch curb.
Sorry. Just stay at the mic, please. Thanks.
If you look at it, though okay. So you're gonna put that walkway in.
Thank you. Yeah.
And you're gonna paint that walkway and have signs. And that's great for the the parking lot. But you're not doing anything. That four foot fence doesn't extend to where it keeps the kids from running over coming out of the the building or coming out of the playground and running over into the lot and running in front of somebody that driving. I think that's what she's referring to.
Okay. Thank you. Do you have anything you want to add to that? Okay. I'll let my fellow commissioners comment on it. Mister Del Reigno?
So last time we were here and we talked about the dead end, I call it, resubmitted for that and didn't address it. I think Mr. Bedell ended up coming up with a plan for that one.
Remind me where you're thinking about this
So if you
look at where the line goes down where it says 40 foot side setback, coming from the north to the south, there is that lane. People come down that lane to park in it. They would have to back up. So mister Biddell addressed it by removing more parking spots so that they could make a if they're heading south, would could make a left hand turn to come back to the main aisle.
Right.
So that was done by the city to make that recommendation. And as I don't know if you were here last time, Ms. Wolf, but I was not pleased at the location to start with, right? It was as I said, right where it says playground would have been a much better opportunity. You're inside of all your setbacks.
It's contained. You don't can take out as many parking spots as you want and you still keep the lanes going Closer to the door, not going passing the main entrance into this parking lot. So I'm I'm not happy with the location that you chose. And again, had you come before us at the beginning, it probably would have said the same thing and probably pointed you in the right direction. Don't Is there is there an opportunity to move it to the east into that where it says playground?
It'll be quite difficult at this point since the foundations are in and, you know, the perimeter fence is in. I think they originally cited it that way because they were the largest trees on that in that area and to provide a little bit of shade for the for the kids.
Mhmm.
Yeah. So not I I'm not happy with where you have it. I'll be straightforward with you. Sandwich board signs, I question whether that's the right thing and it's an attempt, but should they be permanent? Because with the sandwich board, in my opinion, they can go out and they might stay out or they might never go out at the Yeah. Same
So we're proposing four permanent signs, kind of the two ends next to the building in the middle and then also one by the playground itself. And then that sandwich board
You want to show them again now
that One, the camera's
two, three, and then four. And then that sandwich board one can just.
I still think you need it. You need a temporary one.
Right and then bring it out when when it's in use.
Yeah.
And then from a from a barrier standpoint and hearing what the residents to the west have to say, I think they're looking more for you have a four foot aluminum framed picket fence, right? And I think in our last time we spoke there was some visibility that was coming into it. You are inside of a setback with no buffering or no visible interference for that. Is it possible to get something along that line?
Do you want it more visible or less visible? Do you want more plantings?
I'm looking at more of a board on board or a vinyl fence along that line.
Just so you don't see the children?
Mhmm.
You guys be willing to do that? Make this side more solid.
My name is Wajid Chatter, and I am the part of the ownership.
Could you spell your name? I'm sorry. I didn't get what it was.
Wajid Chatter.
How do you spell that, please?
W a j I d. Last name, c h a t t h a. Thank you. So is that we need to put the vinyl one or we we can use the wood one too just to give that barrier part?
I'd have to look back and see what what the, you know, what would require on that Jim would be
It could be either one is Yeah.
I mean I think obviously in my opinion a vinyl would probably be less maintenance and maintain its maintain the look and let easier for you is my thoughts on it.
And my second question will be that is that just on that side of that area where we are putting the playground? That's what is required? That's what
I would I mean at this point yes.
Can I so just listening to the residents at a couple of meetings I actually think what what they're saying their concern is that kids going from the door to the entrance of the playground that they may they may scatter, they may lose them? So I would think that something more over farther to the west like along the property line maybe starting where it says children at play signage like you know a little bit south of that and then extending a couple of spaces maybe north of the parking lot or something maybe. I don't know how far north to go. So that it's basically you want to stop the kids from knowing that there's somewhere else out there that they get to. And I think a four foot high fence like that would be a visual barrier for the younger ones anyways.
I don't think you have to worry about the older ones as much.
Towards the end line of the property like after that grass bed?
Well I mean it wouldn't have to be there. It could be at the edge of the parking lot or it could be wherever it would be it would be appropriate.
On inside
of that tree line? Yeah it could be on the inside of the tree line but that's that's what I think their concerns are is that they want to make sure that the kids don't wind up in their in their travel lanes. So they really need a you know the something along that line. I don't think it has to go the entire you know it's The whole hundreds of feet Right. To go all the way to the back but.
I think we will be good with that.
That's, that's all I have for to say for now.
Thank you very much. Mister Jones?
Yeah. I would agree that because of the fact that this thing is within that setback on the left side that or on the West side that some sort of screening is is necessary there. And I and I think that, you know, your suggestion of a solid fence is a good idea. I understand the concerns of the residents to the West about the potential for kids kind of running off. You know, I I understand that they're gonna be escorted from the playground back to the building, but, know, that's that's not a perfect system. It's, you know, the best they can do under the circumstances, I'm sure, but, you know, an extra layer of protection would be if if, you know, fencing could be added there just as a deterrent. Know, it doesn't again, that's doesn't have to be a screening type thing. Just strictly just a physical deterrent.
Do you see that as a four foot high
You know, personally, I think that would be fine, but I'd be curious to hear what the others would say. Against the playground itself, think a solid screening is necessary. And then I think this the permanent signage is a good idea. I'm not sure that I agree with where you have all the signs. I'm not sure that they make sense as far as like where vehicles would see them. So I think a little bit more thought needs to be put into the exact placement of the signs. And Jim, I believe you mentioned that in your staff report. And also, you know, we're still the plan that's in before us still has this dead end aisle. Yeah. I'm not comfortable moving this forward until these issues get addressed on our revised plan.
Those are that that's where I'm at with it. Otherwise, know, again, I I agree with account with mister Delregno that if we were starting this from scratch, the playground would not be going in this location. So I I I think we would have we would have had you put it somewhere else. But since it's there, I think, you know, we have to if going we're to allow it to remain, I think we've got to make some, you know, I think there's gonna have to be some concessions made with that. And I think that's kind of where we're at at this point.
Can you clarify, like, in your opinion, where the where the fence would start and stop along that West? And
I think it should probably go probably, I would say it should go far enough south that it would be even with the existing building, I would think. Basically anywhere where the kids would be walking through a parking lot, I think that there should be a and again, I think I do think that a little four foot high thing would be fine. It's just enough to be a just enough to stop a little kid from darting across to
the other aisle. How far to the north?
I mean, the exit to the playground is to the south. So I don't know that it really needs in my opinion, don't know that it needs to even go past the playground. I think if it just went to the playground, I think that would suffice.
Thank you. Missus Smith? Thanks.
I would agree with my my two fellow commissioners. And so the I'd like to see the drawing revised and brought back with all the changes that we've discussed, the fencing going all the way down to the building. And then basically, two of the signs that are close to the building, they're not really going to be seen by drivers. The other issue, which may not be our issue, is what happens to that handicapped parking because that won't be the location for the handicapped parking anymore once you omit all those parking spaces. Is unfortunate that you you know, we're starting in the middle of this.
Feel, you know, like I've turned on the TV show in the middle. So, anyway. Those are my without belaboring it, those are my comments.
Thank you. Councilman Van Dyke.
So, Jim, go to the drawing that shows the setback. So, the first thing I'll say is our next report, I would like it to have that setback drawing shown in the report. So, it's in the document for whole posterity. But so here's the problem I have with it is it's it's it's in the setback. It's in the completely in the setback.
And so we and and it and it's and it's constructed and yet we're supposed to try and make this work. If in my opinion it should move. So it's within the setback and conforming with the code. That's where I'm starting from. And everything else we're trying to do is,
you know Bandages?
Yes. So don't even know how, you know, so here's the concerns they have. You have a right now you have a drive. Even you you have to you have to take up enough parking spaces so that if there was a a path, but then you still left some parking spaces, that people are gonna come up and park up against the parking the the pay the playground. Go back to the other draw please, Jim. Excuse me.
This one? Or
Yeah. Yeah. That one's fine. So the no one more. Thank you.
So you know you have a car coming down it's a driveway and then you stick a parking a playground right in front of a drive as you come into a you shouldn't be driving your car into a playground. So that's a problem in my book. And then secondly, this whole configuration around the back part isn't as it's been brought up, it's still not addressed, at the same time you're again you're bringing an aisle you're driving down an aisle straight on at a playground. So that's not good design. So I don't even know I'm you know talking about putting fences up and, you know, you should have bollards on the on all four sides because you have a drive on the other side even if it's not on your property.
You don't have any real screening for the neighbors and that's a problem because you don't have the proper setback and so you don't have the ability to put plantings along there. There's no plantings around the perimeter of this of of the playground. So I I don't know. I I'm not even you know, if you ask me, I think it should move. So that's where I am on it.
Thank you. I guess I have a question. On the opposite side of the playground, is there a drive on that side to access the front? There is. Okay. Yeah. I mean, my opinion too is if we could move it, be mean, again, if some child gets injured or, God forbid, killed and we approved it this way, I would not be able to live with myself. So I guess if you can move it I feel like we're over parked as a a city planner, so there's gotta be a way to do this. But, yeah, where it's at right now, it's I think it's an accident waiting to happen.
Considering it a little bit further, I would agree with both my fellow commissioners that it is in the completely the wrong place. And I I don't know if you were involved from the very beginning, but it's it's not in a good it's it's not, in my opinion, the proper place to provide safety for the children, especially kids that are learning impaired.
Not to mention the crosswalk's going to be we cut across two ADA spots. Right? To get you walk behind them to get to the playground. And it's where I say if you put it in the to the right of where it says bollards, those spots right there, they could come straight out the door or walk up an aisle to their playground. And you can take as many spots as you want.
You're not gonna get a square, but you can definitely take it into a large rectangle to accomplish what you're trying to accomplish. And you know, you're inside of the setback at that point. You have clear visibility and access through it. You've maintained the flow of the pattern flow for the parking lot. And you're getting a little bit further away from the residents that are concerned with it. So I'm you know I said it last time I'll say it again I think you're in the wrong spot. That's.
Any other comments from the applicants?
If we decided to change this part, do we again have to come back to the planning commission?
Yes. Yes. So and I would recommend you work with mister Bedell on the final design before you bring it back. It sounds like straight ahead seems to be I mean, can I look at the aerial one more time? I'm sorry.
Yeah. Let me let me grab it from over there.
Sorry. It's okay.
I mean, as the architect that's now involved, did you talk about putting it in the middle at all since you've no. Okay.
It's already built.
Yeah. Right. True. Yeah. We know.
It's still a a tricky It it is. There's still You still have Yeah.
Drive aisles and stuff even if you shifted
it over towards middle. Place for this except the middle a
little bit of trees over over there.
But you're only getting in the west sun at that point. Right? That's the evening because it's still you're gonna get all sun coming from the east during school hours. Yeah. Those trees aren't doing you any good, to be honest with you, until it's evening.
So You can easily put up a shade structure. I mean Right. Very easily. Yeah. Triangle shade structure would be very nice. Alright. Yeah. Thank you, mister Bedell. So I'm guessing we're going to table this?
That's what I would suggest. Yeah.
May I get a motion to table?
October 22 is the deadline for stuff to be submitted for the November 10 meeting. Does that work for you?
Yes? Yes.
Okay. Then motion to table the chance light site improvements playground and parking lot to the November November 10.
November 10.
11/10/2025 meeting.
Second.
Roll call, Del Ragneaux? Yes. Smith? Yes. Van Dyke? Yes. Jones?
Yes.
Del Cone? Yes. Motion carries.
Thank you. Thank you for working with us. We appreciate it.
Thank you.
Next item on the agenda is the center development plan and that will be tabled at the request of the applicant.
November 10.
Great. Motion to table the less center development development plan pavilion to the November 10 meeting.
Second. Roll call, please.
Smith? Yes. Van Dyke? Yes. Jones? Yes. Delcombe? Yes. Delregno? Yes. Motion
carries. Thank you very much. Next item on the agenda is the Chai Bam Coffee development plan for a covered patio. Mr. Bodell will give his report first and then we'll hear from the applicant.
Yes. This is 25651 Detroit Road.
Excellent.
And it's a this is a covered patio and there's a typo sorry it's supposed to that should be an N there not an M not an N. Anyways it's so the existing rock bed plantings will be removed there's a 30 foot approximately 30 foot wide drop off lane that'll be cut down by six feet to accommodate an expansion of concrete patio onto this area. It's a black finished aluminum steel canopy, aluminum cable railing system, matches the existing frames and doors, gently sloped metal roof to direct runoff into gutters. And it will be connected to the site's existing storm water management system, all required. And it measures 32 feet by 14.5 feet.
It's about 15% of the interior floor area, so that's in accordance with twelve twenty six point zero four. It cannot be more than 33%, so good for that. 12 feet above grade. As far as inside of the building, they'll add a couple of double doors for access. Festive string lights, low level illumination.
So it's just warm ambiance and minimum lights spill onto adjacent properties. Hours be curious about hours of operation, if they'll even need them. But two ceiling fans, and then they will have vehicle protection, prefabricated planters and bollards. The city engineer will approve along with the construction plans. So the guideline does identify this as office and office lab.
Restaurants are allowed accessory use in its own. So that is okay. Outdoor dining is also a permitted accessory use. So that is both allowed per the guide plan and zoning and then here is the location not too far away from another one that was proposed that is not going to be reviewed tonight so. We did get the design in for the ceiling fan, the planters, and the site furniture, and the lighting in the bollards.
So again a planning commissioner is recommending body if you are able to make a recommendation tonight just the standard condition this time. Thank you.
Thank you Mr. Bedell welcome. Thank you. Introductions? Name and address, please?
Hi. I'm I'm Moe. I'm from the center. And
Last name, please?
Yes. Salem.
Thank you.
Good evening. My name is Salim Abdulkader. I'm one of the owners. This is my partner in Islam Salaman.
Help us. Say say the name of
of Izzam.
Oh, I'm sorry. The the coffee spot? Yes. She bam.
She bam. You got you
had it close enough. Izzam. We have an existing location right now in North Olmsted, one already open. So this will be the second location open.
Great. Anything you wanna add to mister Bedell's report?
I'd like to add that we were gonna have our architect, Leon, from LS Architects. He unfortunately had a family emergency. He wasn't able to make it, so just
wanna see that
for record. Thank you.
Okay. Yeah.
Would anyone from the audience like to comment on this one? Seeing none, councilman Van Dyke.
Yes. Thank you. Let's
get
you know, I'm I'm not tell me what so your coffee, is it tell us about your company a little bit.
I got you. So our our company is Shibam Coffee. It's a authentic Yemeni cafe for a kinda, like, sit and dine in. It's like high end coffee. We ship our beans from Yemen, and we roast them, and we serve them to the customer. So it's like high end coffee essentially. We serve pastries, cakes, some savory options as well, and it's more of like the ambiance. It's gonna be a really beautiful interior. And, yeah, that's pretty much it.
Okay. And and not a drive through
lane?
Not a drive through on unless you guys would let us have a drive through. We'd love to. But I'm not we're not we have respect to not even
ask. Okay.
I'm sure
I brought it up, actually. So the the first is so the sidewalk's going to be extended out a little bit is that the idea?
Mhmm.
Okay. And are you going to replace the whole sidewalk extension? Or is it you know, it
I don't really ask I don't know
what the condition of it's like. Is it you know?
It's a good condition. It's it's in great condition right now. We're just gonna probably extend to how you see in the rendering right there. Yeah.
Okay. Alright. And the dark color, is that a black or a bronze? Or what are we looking at?
I believe it's like an oil bronze.
So it meant to match the
The facade of the building. I think it's supposed to not match it, but the window mullions.
Window mullions and that? Is that are are they sort of a duranotic color? Yeah. Alright. Okay. And then from the bollards, so you have the bollards on the front side, but you still have some parking spaces on the West Side so I would think you'd probably want to have some bollards over there as well, wouldn't you?
Yeah, there should be.
So I would say that they need to extend at least on those two sides. And and in terms of lighting for this well, let me ask you. What are your hours?
So we're planning on closing around midnight, probably, 11PM midnight on the weekends.
Okay. So you're open late?
Yeah. Open late. Yeah.
Yeah. Not a coffee shop like
Well, we're gonna be open early probably around 7AM, 6AM.
Yeah. And then open till Open late. Okay. Are you having music out on the patio?
No. No music outside.
Okay. Alright. So no speakers. And then the lighting for the patio, what what kind of lighting are you using for that?
It's kind of like a ring light. You can see it's like goes around the outside and then Not
not a very brightly lit more of a low subdued lighting.
It's like 3,000 k for like the daylight.
Yeah. It it qualifies. It's low level lighting, so it it qualifies.
Okay. And then and the bollards looks like you're gonna paint them out to match rather than the white like he had on one of the renderings. This is the newest rendering. Right? The latest one here that you sent. So alright. Well, I don't I think it looks it looks nice. So Thank you.
Thank you. Missus Smith? I would agree. I think it'll make a great addition to the to LaCenter. My comments.
You. Mister Jones?
Yeah. Thank you. Yeah. This is a really nice design. I think it, I think it complements the building well. Think it, it'll it'll fit nicely. So the fire department did take a look at it and they were okay with narrowing that main aisle on the front since that's the fire lane. They were good with that. Okay. And yeah, really the only concern I have is just to make sure that there's bollards along the west side, adjacent to the, parking spaces there. Just so that if someone's pulling in.
We'll take care of that.
They would be stopped by that.
Yep. If you look at the plan, do do you think the east side is okay too or you might as well just do that side too?
Well, the east side, you know, you don't need the patio doesn't even extend beyond the the drive aisle. So I don't really think the I don't really think it's necessary on the east side. But, yeah, the the west the west for sure.
Okay. Thank you. Mister Del Ragneaux?
Yeah. So two things. One is the the planters. The planters are not made to stop a vehicle. Right? We're just using the bottlers. I think they're just decorative. Okay. Just clearing the air on that one. And then I didn't maybe I'm missing it. How do you get into the actual The actual space? Yeah. The actual
So there there's a on the side, there's, like, a vestibule door. There's a door and then the vestibule, then you can get in, like, on the inside
of going into Houlihan's. Right? Is is it so there's
different doors? There's three separate entrances. One is for Houlihan's.
Okay.
One is for the actual office building, and then the other one is for us.
So and then is there will people be able to enter in through the patio or through this overhang?
Yeah. There's yes.
And is that on the West Side I'm assuming or is it also on
the On the North Side. It's a little hard to see but if you look at the plan there
I got it. All right, my bad. Didn't see So there'll be two entrances then, one coming in from the off to the east of the patio and one coming in off the patio?
I I think right now, we're gonna our plan is to possibly close the one with the vestibule and turn it into extra seating. That's something that we're probably gonna still decide on. I know we already submitted the plans as is before, so we might revise them. But we haven't decided that yet. Okay.
Other than that, I think it's a sharp looking building. Thank you.
Thank you. I just have a couple questions. The first one is, is the space empty right now? Is there someone in there?
No. No. It's empty.
Okay.
Yeah. We started work already with
Oh, yeah. I was just curious if there was a tenant or anything. Yeah.
No. No. Yeah.
But it wasn't a restaurant or anything like that before a coffee I
think it was a day care.
It was a
day care.
It was a
day care.
Okay. And a
bank even before that.
Okay. Yeah. Don't think I remember what
was If you guys knew.
Yeah. Okay. I'm excited that you're activating the space. I think it's a great idea. My only question is we come back to the rendering. I can't believe I'm saying this and not the architect, so maybe I'm way off. I think the sides are heavy. Those two wings on the side are no, not too heavy? Like, I wonder what the purpose is. Do they need to
have thing, maybe.
It's a design thing? I don't know. Architects are fine with it?
Well,
I I mean,
yes. I mean, you say is it is it compared to the the high the roofline versus the columns holding So it but I'm assuming there's a slope to the to that roof.
That's the reason then.
And so maybe they Maybe you meant the direction. Rather than showing slope. You tried to
make it
lines up and all that stuff.
So it's not it's necessary is what you're telling me.
Yeah. I mean, I just thought it was some, you know, funky new
design concept. Yeah. I just thought I wasn't sure because the building is
Yeah. Not really funky. Like, the airplane wings that That's what was just thinking. Turn up at the very end.
Yeah. But I do I love the patio. I think it's gonna be a great addition. So I'm I'm fine with it. I just thought I'd bring it up since
no one else did.
Can we get a motion?
Sure.
Based upon the findings of fact, I move to recommend approval of the Shebam Coffee Development Plan covered patio with the following. One, our standard conditions.
I think there was
a condition How about the bollards?
Oh, and two, condition to add bollards along the west side of the patio. Second.
Roll call, please. Van Dyke? Yes. Jones? Yes. Del Cone? Yes. Del Reigno?
Yes.
Smith? Yes. Motion carries. Great.
Thank you very much. Good luck Thank with Thank
you. Next item
on the agenda is the Quail Hollow site improvements, the flock camera.
Yes. This is well, it's a it's within city right away it's adjacent to the north property line of 2300 Pebblebrook Drive. It's being done by the Quail Howell Homeowners Association. Cover letter sites reducing crime assisting law enforcement during investigations and contributing to meaningful improvements in public safety. So it captures vehicle information at the subdivision entrance from Center Ridge Road.
We currently don't know if there's going to be a future plan because the subdivision also has an entrance from Clague Road. And so what it is it's a type of license plate reader. So it captures vehicle license plate data. And that data does not go to the Homeowners Association. Understanding it's going to go to our Wesley Police Department.
And if you know pick up if there's a stolen vehicle pick up the plate immediately and that way they're able to dispatch law enforcement based on that. Also it's something that can be used if there is a crime in the area then the police department will be able to determine who's been coming and going in that area and see if they if there's Board of
solar powered, so there's a panel that's right on top of it. The camera
of is of below it at a minimum height of 10 feet above grade, so the total height is about 12 feet. It's in the looks like it's about right in the middle of the tree lawn, six feet from the edge of Pebble Brook Drive. Color was not specified and but the nearby lampposts and street signs are black so we're just suggesting if it's possible certainly the pole that's something they should be able to get in black and it's possible for the mounting hardware and maybe if the other items could be black. But if not, certainly the things that could be ordered in black should be so that it ties in. And just so it kind of fades away into the background.
And just this is something you haven't seen one of these before. These are typically done by our own law enforcement. So it runs a different course, an administrative approval course, really just with our engineering staff. So but because this is a privately funded one in city right of way, you've been asked for your opinion on this. And just concluded the city charter there if you want to read it.
It gives you that authority. So here's the approximate location. Oh, and one of the lampposts as you can see. It is in black. So if you are able to make a recommendation, I would say a condition regarding the pole camera, solar panel, mounting hardware color, if possible if applicable.
We'll find out about that hopefully soon. Then final number two it's kind of our standard condition except that doesn't really does not need to relate back to my staff report so I took out the line about the staff report because there's nothing in the staff report for it to relate to. Thank you.
Great thank you very much. You. The applicant like to come forward on this one? Welcome.
Hi. I'm Alex Pudva, p u d v a h. Address is 2390 West 7th Street, Cleveland, Ohio. Actually, I don't have any questions. I'm just a representative from FLOC, to answer any questions that you guys had or
Okay.
Anybody else had. So.
Great. Thank you. Would anyone from the audience like to comment on this?
My name is Elizabeth Birkey. So I'm the HOA president for Quail Hollow. I sent photos. I if mean, you guys wanna see what it looks like, we do have one at the entrance off of Clegg. And we this one is just being moved. Because right now, it's in a like a person's front lawn.
I actually I was a technician a couple years You
installed the other one.
Yeah. I used to actually install these a while ago. So yeah. Where it was was
a little bit of
a weird situation. There's like a path back to like a pool or or or like a waterway or something like that.
What it is is if you were not familiar with Quail Hollow, so Quail Hollow ends in the middle of Fox Run, I think. I don't live on Fox Run, so I'm sorry. But so we initially put it we had a homeowner that said, that's fine. Go ahead. You can put it in my tree lawn.
The disadvantage so it it was a long process to get it installed. No fault of this gentleman. He was just the person actually installing it. And so we said, fine, put it up, put a Solar One in this gentleman's tree lawn halfway down Fox Run, With the intention always to be to move it further down to the end so that actually we catch much more traffic coming in and out of because we as it is now, you can come in those people don't pay for it, but it still behooves all of us to to have all of that traffic captured, this coming into the five cul de sacs that makes up that area. So Okay.
Disorganized, but hopefully answered your questions.
Great. Thank you. Would anyone else like to speak to this from the audience? Seeing none, mister Del Reigno?
So is there so are there are two homeowners associations inside of Quail Hollow then? Is
Technically, well Yeah. Yeah. It depends with no. So Quail Hollow itself, I think it's 65 houses.
Okay.
But it only is three cul de sacs, and I'd have to show you a map probably, but right? So it's Quill Hollow proper. It is Winged Foot and then Interlaken Lane and then half of Fox Run. And then the other half because, like, this half is a Vlory looking looking at at you. You. And the other half, I don't remember who the other guy was. You might remember who it is who built it. But I do.
Go ahead. There's multiple different developers, but it doesn't matter.
Yeah. So there were two main developers.
So so there is there and does the other one have the homeowners association as well?
The other side, Pebblebrook
Yep.
Not exactly.
Okay.
And then there's a ton of clusters that are, like, right along Center Ridge. Yep. And there's, like, seven different tiny little HOAs there. And then there's the brand new cul de sac with the Castle Home.
Yep.
I call it the Castle Home. And I eventually, I think they'll have an HOA, it's not fully built yet.
So That's that's I was confused as to where it was at. That's thank you for that clarification. The second one is, one's already been installed. Did we go through planning on that one?
I'm not sure. This is the first I'm hearing that there's another one.
Or this is one that they're moving. It's like why is it coming up now and why wasn't it
It may have been done
First under
one is on one of our common properties.
Oh, that's why. Okay.
And then this one, we simply want to move from this gracious homeowners tree lawn to this right of way
here. So the one that was put on the tree lawn
SPEAKER Uh-huh.
Should that have come before us is the question.
SPEAKER Yeah. I'm not sure why it didn't. SPEAKER Right.
So the one that's on an individual's property wouldn't have to come before us. The one that goes on the tree lawns, though, should be coming before us. You're taking
Oh, one that's wait. Is on it
on the tree lawn? Or is it in his it might be in his yard.
That would make sense.
Do remember the other one?
He gave me
his It was second in his yard.
I can figure it out. Okay.
If it was in his yard, then it would not have come to you.
Fine. I'm I'm so Yeah.
I'm looking it up right now as you guys are talking.
Okay. I appreciate that. And so are there two flat cameras inside of this, or is there just one? There's two.
There are two.
And you're relocating one of the two? Correct. Okay. And you're putting it on what I would say is our right away?
Correct.
Okay.
And that's why we're
here.
I was very confused for a brief moment there. I appreciate
your I
have question. All right. So other than that, utility wise, Jim, do we have any issues with that right of way? I don't think there's any plans to widen Pebblebrook anytime soon.
No, our city engineer really I don't think he has any issues with it. Just wanted to make sure you had a chance to see it.
It's fine. Mean homeowners association is aware that if there was an issue that we had to dig up tree lawn and remove it, it's at your expense to replace that, correct? Like this might would be the way I'd understand. The city would not have responsibility of handling the reinstallation of that if Yeah. It was for our camera. Whatever reason, water line or whatever Yeah. We had to dig around or remove it, it would come back on you guys. Okay. Other than that, I don't think and then it's all so I think this is more for you, sir. So one is, does the camera come in black?
It is black.
It is coming in black.
So everything's what we're having is gone through and we've been approved. It matches.
Have the photos. I mean, submitted them to
That's fine.
You wanna see a photo?
Good. Don't know
if we call him doctor Kaczyszky.
And then do you Homeowners Association doesn't have any access to this. It's just all tied into the Westlake Police Department?
No. I mean, that that isn't true. I do have access to it because we pay for it.
Mhmm.
But to be honest, I I mean, some people go, oh, I won't give anybody access to it. And I literally have logged into it since we've had it, like, three or four times.
Okay.
Because the intention of it is to work with the police and the city. So we our neighborhood, just like many neighborhoods in Westlake, have had multiple gang activities and things stolen largely opportunistic. But I think it was the fourth time since I've been living in Quail Hollow. I've been here ten years. And I think it was the fourth time somebody was openly carrying a weapon and dropped it while walking at 4AM. And it was a night that my now almost 18 year old would have was not, but could have been at home by himself at that point. And I just I went to the HOA, my my neighbors, and I was like, this is ridiculous. And the police absolutely love the system.
It's So they're on board with it. That's where I was going with the Westlake Police Department Yeah.
They're Oh, no. They love these things.
Yes. Yes.
We actually we actually have them already with the Westlake And Police and to answer your question about Quill Hollow accessing it, technically, they have access to it, they don't have the, like, access to the systems that would allow that to be useful. It's like, okay. They have, like, a random set of license plate numbers, but, like, now what? Right? And there's actually a a thing that we can we can send a Quill Hollow if they don't already have it. It's called the transparency portal. Basically tells you who has access to it, which in this case will be the HOA, and the police department will already have access to it. And then it also goes over our code of ethics and all that stuff, like what we capture, what we don't capture. And also for the record,
I don't
know if this is too TMI, but, any data that we have, is not ours. We don't sell it. It's exclusively the, the owners of, in this case, Quail Hollow, so we don't, like, distribute it. And after thirty days, anything that it captures is deleted permanently, so that prevents a insane amount of storage, but also more importantly, long term privacy issues. So Yeah.
No, I'd say, and I apologize for asking all these questions because
it's No, first time ever
the I'm here. That's the why I'm
pub or private purchase block just never saw it before. Now interesting, as long as we're black and the individual is Okay with it on the tree lawn or that homeowner, I think, it's the city's tree lawn, there's still another we're putting something into it. It's not like we're planting a tree at this point. We're putting something up that is mechanical that I think they need to be on board as well or at least sign off on it.
Did attempt to actually have it. You mentioned the not the tree, the light pole. We did attempt to work with FirstEnergy to actually just make it a part of that. And that ended up not working out, which is
Never happens. Never.
Okay. They told us that, but we tried it anyway.
Just never happens.
So again, for aesthetics, for the and for the power.
I appreciate you doing that. Okay. That's all I have.
Great. Thank you. Mister Jones?
Thank you. Yeah. I'm I have a feeling I'm gonna be, on my own on this one. I I totally disagree with this going in the public right away. I I don't think that a privately owned system should be located in the public right away. I think it's an inappropriate use of public right away. I have no issue whatsoever with the security camera existing. I have no issue with whatsoever with you guys putting one in. And I have no issue whatsoever the Westlake Police Department putting them in, within the city right of way since they are a city entity. They're putting it in their own in within the city's public right of way.
But having a private having a privately owned operation in this in the public right of way, in my mind, totally disregards what public right of way is supposed to be for.
For what if we did ask them to do it and they
If the city of if
the Westlake Police Department were to install decide that they wanted to pay for this, install it, maintain it, operate it, and it's totally theirs. That's the point they want
them, but they want us to pay
for If they did that, we wouldn't even see it. So it'd be up to the city. But, you know, again, that in my mind is an appropriate use of public right of way. In my opinion, this is not. So and that's all I'll say about it.
Thank you very much. Missus Smith?
Mister Jones brings up some good points. It's privately owned in a public right of way. I have looked at this and said, you know, why why are we seeing this? Obviously, we're seeing it because it's privately owned in a public right away.
Correct. And I mean, my understanding from mister Maloney is that the local ordinance is simply I I can't I'm not the law director, so I can't speak about it. I did speak with him this morning, and he said he was gonna speak with mister Vollore. Essentially, he explained that the the city ordinances have not caught up, so to speak, with the technology and that it's just a matter of those ordinances needing to be updated but they have not yet been updated. So I don't know if that's a fair assessment mister Valore of what he said to you today or but that's how it was explained to me.
Okay. Yes. Thank you. We do have that documentation in our emails. Thank you. Thank you. Okay.
Thank you. I guess like I said I just didn't see why we were reviewing it but it's because it's private and public.
Councilman Van Dyke.
So I guess since you opened the debate up for just a moment let's so the and I have no issue with the I mean I understand the reasons for doing it. Sure. There are certainly cameras everywhere.
Right. The school city schools Westlake City Schools has them in every single
campus. Right. Know
it. Once you're seeing them you start looking for them they're everywhere.
They're on FedEx trucks too, I believe, aren't they?
I'm sorry. But so if you
I think they're on FedEx trucks as well. I'm sorry.
That's right. Yeah.
I don't know about So
but you're from your where you're coming from is so this is the public right away is for public utilities only. Alright but AT and T is a not a public utility.
Well they are quasi public I think we would say. I don't know what their legal status is. But a they're service.
Right but so is FLAC camera. So I guess that's where I
But again the camera is privately owned and operated. I think yeah I understand what you're trying to do. You're trying to find a loophole here but I'm not going to see that loophole. I'm
Lack of white engineer.
No I'm just trying to see because you know I've got cables all kinds of cables I in my backyard
did think of that, yeah.
Actually my property, but it's in the easement. So it's actually the public right away, even though I get to mow it.
Lots of times easements are specifically written for the benefit of the utility company that receives the easement. So that's a different thing. If this was in an if they wanted to put this in an easement on private property, again, same. I would have no issue with it.
Yeah. So it's just be literally because it's the public right of way that you're
saying this should be for the sewer? It's a private entity should not be going in the public right away. Like this type of private entity should not be against it. It's privately owned, privately operated. They're going to maintain it. Something like that should be on private property. It shouldn't be in the public right away.
But I'll just go I'll continue on. So I've got my telephone poles running down the street and it's got FirstEnergy Power running on it.
Yes.
So that was a, again, a quasi because it's a private entity. It's not a public
Those might actually be in an easement behind the right of way line. We'd have to look at your plat and see where they actually fall.
But the telephone poles running down Hilliard have cable and all kinds of other stuff running on it that, you know, you're that are private entities.
Mhmm. Yeah. And if you take typically on those on the main roads when you see that, you actually have, there's actually lease agreements within the right of way. So, again, this would be kind of a similar type of thing. Mean, there going be a lease agreement for this? Or is this just are they just allowed to put are they just allowed to have a privately owned thing just sitting on the right of way? I mean
Not to interrupt. I will say, for all intents and purposes, while they do have access to it, Quell Hollow, they don't really again, there's not really, like, anything they can do with it. While the police department, on other hand, it it links up and I don't know the specifics, but I know all the police departments all over Cleveland, all over Ohio
Mhmm.
Have these. I mean, you guys
have all
guys have all
Yeah. Seen them.
And again, no opposition at all to having it Yeah. To them putting one of these in.
They all
share a network, though, very often. So for instance, like Downtown Cleveland or the Cleveland Clinic, and Westlake. If there's a vehicle that comes from Westlake heading east, they would work with the city of Cleveland. So, like, for all intents and purposes, while, yes, they do have access to it, like Right. There's not really a a purpose for them to use it while there is purpose for the
the Understood.
PD to use Mhmm.
Right. Right.
Yeah. I understand.
Alright. Well, this would be a we'll have to continue the debate at a later date because I I'm kinda curious a little bit more about it. But Mhmm. For the moment, I'm in favor of it. So Yeah.
And I would just add, I mean and I guess I would just say that it's quasi public because the data is public. I mean, the data is going to the police department. At the end of the day, it's for the public good.
That's that's exactly
I mean That's my thought.
We want it to be moved so we have more data. They geofence with these also when there's crimes. So Mhmm. I mean, we could leave it where it is, but it's not providing optimal protection, to be honest.
I I believe when I installed it, actually, like, misses one of the driveways, like, the first driveway on the right.
No. That's the one that's coming in off of Clegg, and we managed to do we fixed that.
Okay.
Yeah. I think we need a good I don't have a problem with it. I think that what's going on in the world and the city, I think we need eyes on the street. So it is to me, is public data. You I get your public right away. I completely get it. But, you know, public data, it's gonna be for the public good. I'm fine with it.
Okay.
So do we have a vote or a motion?
Sure.
Alright. So, as far as colors or anything like that was there, we need to add any any conditions regarding the colors?
Has to be black. Right.
Any color as long as it's black.
Yeah. That's perfect for what it is. Mhmm. Mhmm.
So all of the all the components of the of the camera and and support will be are to be black. Okay. That's fine. Sure. Alright. Based upon the findings of fact, I move to recommend approval of the Quailhouse site improvements block camera with the following. One, condition that the pole camera, solar panel, and mounting hardware shall be black. And two, should I read this since the standard conditions a little different? Yeah. Okay. Approval is subject to approval of final plans by the building and engineering departments in compliance with the code and the ordinances of the city of Westlake. And in the development process, should there be any changes necessitated necessitated by engineering requirements. They visually alter the appearance of the development approved by the planning commission. The plan shall be resubmitted to the planning commission.
Second. Roll call, please. Jones?
No. Belcone? Yes. Del Reigno?
Yes. Smith? Yes. Van Dyke? Yes. Motion carries. Thank you very much. Good luck.
Thank you. Thank you.
Next item on the agenda is the Westlake Community Campus sign plan.
Yes. This is 28995 Hilliard which is the address. So two double sided freestanding monument signs at the Westlake Community Campus and it will be for the Westlake Rec Center and the Community Services Center. So you'll see East leg of the Center Ridge Rec Center Drive Intersection, the east leg of the Hilliard Boulevard one as well. And both locations do comply with applicable setback requirements.
You may recall this design. This was a design that you actually helped the service department refine when they came to you for approval for the Clay Park Monument sign which I'm told will be underway soon by the way. So it will also be Glengarry Old Detroit brick with limestone cap. So it does echo here at City Hall and the police station rec center community services. And their sign faces, they're three foot high by eight foot wide 24 square foot EMCs.
And above it you've a one foot by eight foot high non illuminated Westlake Community Campus. And you also have another one below. Unfortunately it's there's trying to squeeze a lot in there so probably wouldn't be able to read that very well from a car but certainly pedestrians will be able to read it pretty well. Where it reads community services and rec center. I don't really know a way to fix that unless you allow for a much larger sign.
Total sign area for each sign is 40 square feet. There are no sign regulations specific to city parks or campuses and much this is the same rationale that you use with Clegg. So this falls under community identification signage and also so the couple sections there I won't read them all. And so they are allowed. What you need to determine is will you allow a larger sign than what you normally would see for an institutional freestanding sign would be allowed to be 24 square feet.
So this is 16 square feet more than that. This is set more similar, parks are more similar to large commercial developments where we do allow 40 square foot sign faces.
Bless you.
And to qualify for that you have to be over three acres in site area. So obviously it would qualify for that. The other thing is the electronic message center is allowed to occupy 33%. This is similar to the Clay Park example. This is more like 60%. Again this is not commercial. It's not going to be commercial message. And what you deemed was appropriate for Klig I would think would be appropriate here. And that's because of the function here. It's functioning as a community identification sign against it's not a commercial message.
And more larger signage is needed to allow for you know more public information than what you might see otherwise. Now it's only slightly larger than the Clay Park sign. So it's a foot and a half taller. It's four square feet greater in area. So it's like I said a little bit bigger. And so instead of it being six feet in height, this is seven and a half in height. There's nothing really around these signs that provide any sort of scale. So, know, it's sort of they're kind of out in the open. Yeah, there's trees around and stuff like that but nothing architecturally where you're gonna really notice that difference in size. They're pretty modest really.
Same operational safeguards we require from the private sector. No animation. Message changes limited to once a day. Black background contrasting text color. Nighttime dimming to minimize glare.
So this is an unusual sign in that this is one that you actually will be making a recommendation to counsel for because it is community identification signage. So in addition to your own agree your own approval of this, you're actually recommending approval. And that's why these are actually showing up as conditions and not modifications. So and that's just the way it works for community identification signs. So first one is a condition that each be 40 square feet with a 24 square foot EMC and the two non illuminated cabinet signs that are 16 square feet total and that the overall height does not exceed seven and a half feet measured from grade.
Thank you.
Great. Thank you, Mr. Verdahl. Welcome.
Hi. Kathy Clark, 1260 Moore Road.
Questions to add?
Pretty much the only difference between Clegg is, you know, these are double sided. And that bottom panel is a 12 inch panel rather than a six inch panel. Everything else is the same. The only thing also it shows nice landscaping there. It's not going to be that nice. It's more going to be like seasonal plantings. So because you get all the trees around there in the background and stuff where Plagg Park it was the big open field. So they needed a lot more landscaping.
Thank you. I forgot to point that out even though I wrote it on the slides.
Not seen anyone else in the audience. Councilman Van Dyke?
So I'll start with what does the Clakes Park sign look like? Do you have that?
Yeah, I have it here.
It was a test, Jim, just to see if you
I have a
copy too.
Didn't hit it out of the park again.
Great. Alright. So, so I'll about a little bit about the sign itself. So I see you did is that a soldier course or just a header course above the
It's a soldier course. Soldier course. Yeah. We changed that last time. That might be in a
little bit
I just think it I almost think it should be all the way like a soldier course up to the bottom of that rather than another Okay. Roll lock or
Running bond.
Running bond course. So that I would be that would be something I would look at. Let's talk about what you can read. So Clay Park City of Westlake, I can read that, I think, from the road. And the others this is one of those, you know, to make the people who are getting a little older feel even like they're something the matter that what they what does that actually say? Community services and
Recreation center.
Right. So that has to be larger. So I don't know whether that means we have to make the sign larger or yet or something. But But
what about the address? Like, does Clay Park doesn't have the address? Why don't we need the address on this? Do we really need the address?
We don't need the The service center has a separate address. The rec center building has it. Like, it's
I see it. Dash 7 And I
think the fire department requires some of that stuff sometimes.
Because it's an actual building.
Park itself probably doesn't have an address, I bet.
But you need we need to because I'm telling that is so we most of us in here in Westlake know where the rec center is but it would be helpful to read it. And of course the fact that will be perpendicular to the street will be a big plus.
It'd be a big help.
But then to make the letters too small, so, you know, if you need to make the sign a little bigger, make the sign a little bigger, but I think it needs to be community services and then below it recreation center in large enough letters that you can read it. And so maybe even the address is put someplace else or done a dress, you know, in another fashion.
And you put it in the stone?
Or or a plaque on either side with just the street numbers or something.
I guess it's called the Westlake Community Campus. I mean, do we even need that? I guess that's my other question. Like, who calls it that? We call it that?
That's the first
time I've heard it.
Nope. Every time. No. Stop it. We do not. Every time.
Yeah. So so the thing is because it is there's a park there.
Group. But it's a rec Yeah. Center
You know,
it's not just the rec center. Those are the two buildings. Yeah. But the rest of it
is fields.
You know? So I kinda understand that. But, you know, what they're looking for is the rec center or the
Community services building. Right. Yeah. It's a bonus. There's a park back there.
So if you took that strip where it's got community services, the address, turn that all into the verbiage of community services and recreation allows you to get a little bit bigger. And then below that, because I don't think the the address is as important, right? You're getting close to it. You put on the brick section of it the actual address in like a metal lettering of some fashion? That way it's sitting mounted to the brick, still there, still serving the purpose, but giving you more space in that lower band.
Right. I would think maybe putting the address on that left hand column, right hand column, the one closest to the street.
What about just below it though?
Think just below it.
Below it on that.
It's gonna get lost and then the plantings are gonna cover it.
That's safe.
Yeah. Wow.
Right. The plants. You need to put or put them up on either column on the that's what I'm saying is make a plaque that has the address and put it on.
Yes. A nice
Blank of Helms with each address. Something like that.
Yeah. In black.
Or in stone, you could make a stone.
Blanket stone block.
Blanket stone block. Right? With something.
Or you could put it on the top too, if you wanna stay away from the plant.
Or right just above there. Right? I suppose.
Kinda like the Rolex sitting there just by itself.
The big problem is you can't just put numbers on the Center Ridge one because the address is Hilliard. So you gotta put the street.
Yeah. No. I agree.
Oh, is it the Center Ridge?
It's on the Center Ridge sign. You're gonna have to have
the street name. Alright.
So You can't just have the number. You know, here here's what I'm gonna say is, do we
I don't know.
Do you need the address?
I I think you're gonna
have to. My guess is that there's gonna be city departments that will want that.
Except one you know, that's even more confusing, though. You're on Center Ridge Road, and there's a Hilliard address.
That's why you needed to say Hilliard because otherwise it is confusing.
I don't know.
Yeah. It's it's it's odd to me that we don't have Clegg Park on there, an address for Cliff I mean, this aquatic center's there. That definitely has an address. I I guess I'm
You know what? We're the planning commission.
We can say no address.
Get rid
of the address.
Yeah. Okay.
And we'll wait till one of the many department heads send us a memo saying that you need they need to have it. What do you say?
I think it just
adds to We'll the front see you next month.
I'll be
back anywhere, I've another job.
Yeah. Better off just table that.
I I opinion is we should table it. Yeah. Because I I think we should let them
Yeah.
Take a crack at it and figure out a way make this. Because I I I'm sure, like, I totally agree with you about the readability of that of of the bottom lines. They're they're just driving by it, you know, thirty five thirty five miles an hour. I'll try to say that without laughing. That, you know, that you won't actually be able to see see those. So But I think all the information that's on there needs to be conveyed. Think that I understand why the address is there. I understand why it has to say Hilliard especially on the Center Ridge sign.
You're okay with scaling it up, right, obviously. So everything every scale everything has to get
I proportionally larger to mean my thought is like the least that you have to, you know, I would be okay with scaling it up if necessary to make this work.
I agree.
I would want to minimize the amount that it's scaled up. But yeah, if you have to, you have to.
So from your opinion as the expert in signs, what is the correct height of font for that and this given location?
Good idea. I don't know. Honestly, I think they were going off the old sign. If you look back at the old sign, the sign that's existing, it was the same letter size. So I think they were trying to
keep it That the sign's not very readable.
I mean, the city pretty much designed this. We didn't.
So You just have to answer the questions for it. Yeah. I gotcha. So is it possible if we table that you could come back with recommendations on the size of the font? And if we increase the size of the font, what's that, As we've all spoken, we're willing to scale up, but we don't want to go overboard.
Right. That fair
to probably just
have to increase that bottom cabinet, make it a little higher so you can read that.
The
signs, the emcees were already purchased by the city and they're in my warehouse since January.
that can't change. Everything else would
change. Scale
up. Yeah.
I don't think there's any issues with the size of the MC. The other thing Councilman Van Dyke had mentioned where you have the soldier course not going, not having a running bond above it. What are saying? A soldier's course on another soldier course? That doesn't
look great.
There's two layers of bricks, so that should be one soldier course. Because that's the length of a brick. Yep. I'm not sure how, whether they added another, you know, like the Clay Park one was just two rows, so unless we made it to go higher, but I just think two is fine. Just make a soldier course all the way around.
Yeah. Mhmm.
And you
just And and when is Clegg Park sign starting?
I was told they were gonna make it a priority to finish before the end of the year.
Okay. Alright.
Okay. So the city's doing, you know,
all the
work looks like. We're just installing
The signs. So Jim, you'll need to convey that to the service department, please.
Okay. Yeah. Because I haven't seen any shop drawings for that sign.
Yeah. Maybe it's a good time to and then copy us on it and we can make sure they're
Okay.
Right. So I don't think these signs are gonna happen till probably next
Okay. Okay.
Great. Do I have a motion to table?
Yes.
Second.
Yeah. Motion to table the Oh, sorry. I'm sorry. Don't have it in front
of as to what it was.
And there it is. Campus.
Could carry
too long.
The Westlake Community Campus sign plan.
Yes, agree with that. Colorado.
And Bonnie, you second? Second.
Call. Alcom? Yes. Dalregno? Yes. Smith? Yes. Van Dyke?
Yes.
Jones?
Yes. Motion carries. Thank you very much.
Thank you. See you next month.
Yep. Thanks. Thank you.
Any miscellaneous, Jim?
Just yeah, I did there was one administrative review that I did since the last meeting. It was actually Acorn Creek, Yes. Bobby Lane. They have some very non compliant parking lot lighting there. They're sort of the jelly glass that they're so they're yeah. They they don't comply at all. And they have selected a very attractive completely shielded downward directed fixture very pedestrian in scale and meets all the code requirements. Great.
Quick question. So I'm seeing a lot more LEDs that are flashing in the evenings, right? They're strobing like no, just parking lights. What's the name of that? I think it's a maybe it's a law firm, Rinaldi or something up on Detroit by Crocker. You mean they're malfunctioning? Malfunctioning. Yeah. There like we were looked at the manufacturer and where these are occurring. Are we getting calls first of all with them being strobes?
Is anyone calling in to report them? And then the second part of that is, is there any way of looking at who, if there's any common denominator on the manufacturer of them that are having these issues?
The first thing I can check with our property maintenance to see if they've had any calls. We haven't had any calls in our office about malfunctioning lights. They would be the ones. And then I guess they could if we have calls, we could keep track of who the manufacturers are. There's so many different companies out there. So many of them, there's some real inexpensive ones that are coming out of China that are just junk. They're supposed to last for ten years and they don't even last two years. They start frying out.
Yeah. And I just didn't know if there's any way we could, you know, limit the the junk ones. Right? That's there's probably nothing but at least make recommendations at the desk that, hey, we've seen this model fail and it's I don't know. I I there's like I've seen at least three up in that Crocker area at different locations. KeyBank had an issue with theirs for a while. Rinaldi had an issue with I think it don't maybe I'm saying it's wrong, but one of the buildings over there had an issue for a while. And then the third one was, I wanna say, Time Warp had an issue with theirs as well. So but I think it's just more common. So
Great. Anything else? Meeting adjourned. 08:27.
It's a rip. I took a
nap today thinking we're gonna You
know, there was
yeah. I know.
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