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Wine bar wins approval in historic district
(by Sue Reid - March 24, 2011)
Wine bar wins approval in historic district
By SUE REID
A wine bar in Solon's historic district can open as early as June, following approval of a site plan and associated variances last week by the city's planning commission. Solon City Council followed with its approval Monday.
"This will be a nice addition to the historic district," Planning Director Robert S. Frankland said following last week's planning commission meeting.
The Swirl Wine Bar, to be located on the first floor at 33325 Bainbridge Road, next to the Steinbauer Funeral Home, will feature a bocce ball court and outdoor patio. Slight modifications would be made to the building's exterior.
Richard Alaimo, Thomas Steinbauer and Frank Bonsignore, along with their architect, Neil A. Safran, previously appeared before the commission with plans to convert the building.
Mr. Alaimo and Mr. Safran returned before the commission again last week with a few deficient items in need of more clarity. Those included a more complete cross-access plan for adjacent properties, a landscape plan for the bocce court and outdoor patio, a reduction in the goose neck lights extensions as well as some definition on lights to ensure there is no overflow onto adjacent properties. In addition, the commission had asked for a memo from the city's engineering department confirming that water runoff and detention were not a concern.
Solon Law Director Thomas Lobe said he and Mr. Frankland reviewed the cross-access agreement with the adjacent funeral home and it is sufficient.
Mr. Alaimo and Mr. Safran also showed photos to the commission of the reduced armature for the lighting as well as a rendering of the proposed planting plan. Commission member William M. Mazur noted the city's landscape architect reviewed the plan and approved it.
There will also be umbrellas and a white picket fence.
Commission member Roger C. Newberry thanked the applicants for returning with an "exemplary plan."
Commission member Eugene Macke Bentley IV said that he had had some concerns with the bocce ball court and its proximity from the road. He said he spoke with members of competitive bocce leagues and found the ball does not come out of the court. With planting and elevations proposed, safety should not be an issue, he said.
Mr. Bentley also had an issue with the white picket fence. He had favored a wrought iron fence that would match contextually with others in the historic area, he said.
Mr. Mazur asked Mr. Alaimo to once again consider a wrought iron fence.
"I appreciate your thoughts and opinions." Mr. Alaimo said, "but I love wood." He said that in other historic suburbs, such as Hudson, there is a mixture of white picket and wrought iron fences.
"It's OK to have them together," Mr. Alaimo said. "It will blend nicely." He also said wood would add to the ambiance of the 1850 building.
"They used white picket fences back then and wrought iron," he said.
Councilwoman Toni M. Richmond said she does not have a problem with the fence. "It adds to the quaintness and New England look," she said.
Mayor Susan A. Drucker, a member of the commission, thanked the applicants for personally walking her through the project. Seeing the location of the court made her more comfortable with the plan, she said.
"I would like to see this come to fruition and wish you the best of luck coming to Solon," Mrs. Drucker said.
The wine bar will feature light food items such as cheese and fruit platters, salads and small pizzas. It would also have a District-5 liquor license that would allow for wines, beers and mixed drinks such as martinis. There would also be a small retail area as part of the business, Mr. Alaimo said.
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