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Abused city planners off-limits to builder
(by Mike Klimko - September 24, 2008)
Abused city planners off-limits to builder
By MIKE KLIMKO
Builders of the new Car Quest building in Solon have been barred by city officials from discussion of the project with the Solon Planning Department, according to the developers and city officials.
A meeting set for Sept. 12 between Greg Warner, of AALLS in Cleveland, and Solon Planning Director Robert S. Frankland to discuss the new auto parts store at the corner of Bainbridge and Solon roads was canceled, they said.
City officials canceled the meeting after Mr. Warner, who is partner with Robert Brandon, of AALLS, hung a banner on the south side of the new building Sept. 10, reading, "Franklands Corner."
Mr. Warner said he was notified by the planning department that the meeting was canceled and that all future correspondence should be made through Solon Law Director David J. Matty.
Mr. Frankland said the decision to direct Mr. Warner to Mr. Matty was based upon repeated abusive treatment of planning department staff. He said he received an abusive telephone call on Sept. 10, learned of the sign on Sept. 11 and was advised by Mr. Matty to cancel the Sept. 12 meeting.
Mr. Warner said he spoke with Mr. Frankland by telephone on Sept. 10 with "raised voices" at one point, after the planning department notified the builders of a code violation at Car Quest.
In a letter he received on Sept. 7, Mr. Warner said, the planning department notified him that the air-conditioning unit on the roof of the new building was not properly screened.
A survey of the area shows heating ducts and air units at Car Quest, Arabica coffee shop and the Solon Business Center are visible from Bainbridge Road. Those at the business center are grandfathered, Mr. Warner said. "I want uniform enforcement."
Mr. Warner said he manages the Solar Center shopping center and has addressed previous code violations. He said he was fined $100 and costs in July 2006 for contempt in court, stemming from a code violation at Solar Center.
Lights installed by Mr. Warner at the Verizon building on SOM Center Road (Route 91) drew the objection of a resident on Baldwin Avenue for shining into the home, Mr. Frankland said.
"This is very unusual," Mr. Frankland said of the impasse with Mr. Warner. "It is an unusual case where people in the planning department were put under extreme abuse," he said.
"There was a meeting for him with Mr. Matty last week, in view of the many problems and abuse of people in the planning department. He's extremely argumentative over zoning and planning issues," Mr. Frankland said.
"He's convinced he's picked on. The air-conditioning unit is visible from the street. He said it would not be visible from the street. We have the same problem at the new fire station. We'll have to put up a fence."
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