[ back ]
Council approves putting Nestle zoning on ballot
(by Sue Reid - September 08, 2011)
Council approves putting Nestle zoning on ballot
By SUE REID
During a special meeting last week, Solon City Council approved an ordinance certifying to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections a proposed initiative petition to rezone residential land to industrial to be placed on the Nov. 8 ballot.
That first followed a request from Mayor Susan A. Drucker and some council members that, if the rezoning is approved, the people are getting what they vote for.
The request from Nestle USA would seek to rezone property owned by the business from R-1 single-family residential to I-2 industrial manufacturing. The land in question runs parallel to the Cleveland Metroparks South Chagrin Reservation and is at the corner of Cannon Road and Hawthorn Parkway.
The rezoning is necessary, Nestle officials said, for the business to expand.
"The location where we are is becoming small for the business we have to serve, not only in the United States but the global business for Nestle's frozen foods," Roberto Reniero, head of research and development for Nestle, said.
Mrs. Drucker asked for reassurance from the company that, if the voters would approve the rezoning, the intended use would not change. She cited a recent temporary moratorium placed on any development of the Solar Center property that is not in accordance with the development agreement already in place.
"If the residents vote to rezone the property for a particular purpose, it's not fair that something else be built there," Mrs. Drucker said. "We are looking for confirmation from Nestle that, if it gets rezoned, you won't sell.
"The residents need to have that protection that some other high-intensity use will not go there," she said.
Councilwoman Toni M. Richmond asked the Nestle officials in attendance at the meeting if the residents of the city will have confirmation before November of what the company intends to do.
"It is helpful if residents know this subject to rezoning of the property," Ms. Richmond said.
Nestle is committed to expanding the research and development portion of the business with the building of a product technology center, Jordan Berns, legal counsel for Nestle, said. "It's as simple as that.
"In order to be fully committed, we need the property rezoned and (then) go through the planning process," Mr. Berns said.
"They (Nestle) are committed to this site for this project subject to that," he said. "We are at the start of the process here."
Mr. Berns said part of that process is educating the citizens through public meetings and providing more information in writing.
There is slightly more than two months until the election, Mr. Berns said, and "Nestle understands there's work to be done in that period of time to convince residents this is a good idea for Solon.
"They are committed to that," he said.
Ward 5 Councilwoman Nancy E. Meany, whose constituents are impacted directly by the rezoning, said some residents have voiced concerns over such things as increases in traffic due to the new building, especially truck traffic on Cannon Road, as well as lights in the parking lot reflecting onto their homes. Nestle has indicated it would move the parking lot to the side and that there will not be increased truck traffic on the road, and any trucks that would enter the facility would use the Harper Road truck gate, which is a process Nestle has followed for many years.
A handful of residents from the 5th Ward were in attendance at the meeting.
About 15 homes along Cannon Road are near the property to be rezoned, and approximately 30 different homes are in the Brainard Road and Horseshoe Farms area.
Cannon Road resident Greg Crough asked how many people would be working at the new product technology center. Mr. Berns said it would result in about 40 to 60 new employees and that the building could have up to 140 employees.
Mr. Crough also asked if there was a physical need to have the product technology center close to Nestle's manufacturing facility "or is it just convenience?"
They are two different types of operations, Mr. Reniero said. The employees at the product technology center are scientists, who travel internationally 40 percent of the time.
Councilman Edward H. Kraus noted that City Council committees have to review the project, including public works and safety and public properties.
"This is just the beginning of what we anticipate will be a long process," Mr. Kraus said.
[ back ]
