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Auburn Corners study approaches target
(by Sue Reid - October 08, 2008)
Auburn Corners study approaches target
By SUE REID
By year's end, a report from Kent State University's Center for Urban Design on development options at Auburn Corners should be complete, Auburn Trustee Michael S. Troyan said last week.
At that point, he said, Township Trustees will review it and schedule a town meeting on development options in the area of Ravenna Road (Route 44) and the Route 422 freeway interchange. "We will have everyone look at the proposal and get their comments," he said. The KSU report will not be "written in stone" in terms of what direction the township will go, he said.
"It will be along the lines of the first meeting we had with residents," Mr. Troyan said. "There will be something visual for them to take a look at."
In January, a town meeting attracted about 100 residents to Adam Hall. In July, the Kent State group gave a preliminary presentation to the township's zoning commission.
Some discussion points were the possible widening of Ravenna Road and turn lanes, as well as riparian issues and how they would fit into township zoning, Trustee Patrick J. Cavanagh said. A parallel road west of Ravenna Road was discussed to serve as an entrance into the commercial properties.
"We don't want to box ourself out of some type of turn lane, which everyone around us is dealing with," Mr. Cavanagh said. It's an issue in which Ohio Department of Transportation would get involved, he said.
Ultimately, though, Mr. Cavanagh and Mr. Troyan said, regardless of what the plan shows, it is up to the individual property owners at Auburn Corners on how to proceed.
"They can do what they want," Mr. Troyan said, "as long as they're within their zoning guidelines. They will have the final say."
The biggest landowners at the corners are F and T Association and a group headed by former Cleveland Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar.
The plan by Kent State is just to give some ideas, Mr. Troyan said. "Hopefully, they will take into account what they will do with the property."
The impetus for the most recent look at the corners is a federal grant that the Chagrin River Watershed Partners secured through the Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which enabled KSU to perform the $20,000 study.
Existing structures in operation at the corners are Auburn Inn, a barbershop, a chiropractor's office and some small businesses. Zoning at the corners is mixed, consisting of B4, which is light industry, B3, motor services, B1A, retail sales and a small village retail district.
Mr. Cavanagh said that ideas for the corners have been a subject of discussion for over a decade.
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