[ back ]
Opposing views expressed on expanded zoning uses
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - July 14, 2010)
Opposing views expressed on expanded zoning uses
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Expanding uses on three residential streets in Chardon drew an equal number of detractors and supporters last week before City Council.
The public hearing on proposed changes for Court, Water (Route 6) and Center (Route 44) streets brought two supporters of the changes and two opponents. The changes will go before voters in November.
If approved, zoning on Water and Center streets properties will be expanded to allow limited commercial and multifamily residential. Properties along Court Street will be permitted to provide for multifamily housing. Currently, no commercial is permitted along Water and Center streets, and multifamily housing is permitted through the conditional-use procedures. The boundaries of the new zoning would be along those streets, between Washington Street and Chardon Square.
Court Street resident Priscilla Eldredge said she sees problems by opening up Water and Center streets to limited commercial. Dust, flooding, noise, loss of green space and eyesores likely will come with commercial developments, she said.
"I believe changing the zoning to limited commercial on Center and Water streets will harm the residential character of the neighborhoods on those streets, as well as Court Street.
One of her Court Street neighbors, Tim Kempffer, cited similar concerns with the proposed changes, calling the rezoning a "bad idea." He said the situation likely would create more absentee landlords for properties. He said there are plenty of undeveloped parcels in the city, and city officials should concentrate on helping develop those properties before changing residential areas. "For me, I don't like this idea at all," he said.
Center Street Gwen Sheehan, however, said she's all for the rezoning. She said there is already commercial development on Chardon Square and at Washington Street, which borders the homes along Center Street. The street essentially serves as part of state Route 44 and carries vehicles of all sizes from 4 a.m. through 9 p.m., she said. "You can't sit on your porch and talk with neighbors without being interrupted by noise and black exhaust."
Mrs. Sheehan said 50 years ago the street had 15 or more children on it. When she moved there 25 years ago, she said, there were eight to 10 children. Now, she said, there are three to six children.
Without a change, she said, it will be difficult for people there to sell their homes, because the traffic has made it less than an ideal place to raise children. The vitality of the neighborhood and surrounding commercial development will suffer, she said.
"Please help us to continue to keep Chardon's gateways beautiful with the passage of this zoning ordinance to help Center Street and Water Street," Mrs. Sheehan said.
Kenneth Miller, who chairs the city's planning commission, said he represents the interests of Brian Brock, another Center Street resident, who believes "limited commercial is an excellent idea."
Mr. Miller said similar types of zoning are used in some of the picturesque towns in New England, where small jewelry, dress and glassware shops have been developed in the first floors of former homes. He said those types of shops with residences on the second stories have proved successful.
He said the city has the procedures in place to assure that any development, including its parking, would not intrude on the residents still living there.
John Sheehan, city planning and zoning administrator, said the zoning changes are intended to allow people to maintain property values and stay in their homes.
He said he does not see parking as an issue. He said most of the affected homes are in the 1,600-square-foot range. He said it's likely that the second stories of those homes could not meet Americans With Disability Act requirements for handicap access, which means most businesses only would be able to use the 800-square-foot first floors.
Based on the city's requirement of 200 square feet per parking space, there likely would be only four parking spaces required. He said Court Street already has multifamily housing and residents there would see no more impact than they are now seeing.
The city has scheduled a meeting at 6 p.m. July 27 to consider whether to forward the zoning changes to the ballot for voter consideration.
[ back ]
