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Restaurant planners pursue slice of park
(by Barbara Christian - November 26, 2008)
Restaurant planners pursue slice of park
By BARBARA CHRISTIAN
The former Mario's spa building could become a restaurant if the Village of Chagrin Falls agrees to sell a section of Bell Street Park to developers.
Village Council's facilities and services committee considered the idea Monday but made no recommendation.
Bruce Spectorsky told the committee that he and his partners need a 10-foot-wide piece of parkland in order to turn the building into "a first-class, small restaurant." The strip of land, now a cement pad for trash containers and parking, would optimize seating and a kitchen area, he said.
In negotiations with Mayor Thomas Brick, the partners have offered to pay $50,000 toward park improvements in exchange for the parcel. An outright purchase or lease also would be considered, Mr. Spectorsky said.
He told the committee it came as a surprise to learn that the land is not part of the Mario's lot, because it had been used by the business for 30 years. "We thought we owned it," he said, but a survey showed otherwise.
Village Administrator Benjamin Himes said the proposal went to the committee with a "non-recommendation" from the parks commission, which voted 2-2 on the matter earlier this month.
Parks commission chairman Anthony Zalba and council representative Jana Lutz voted in favor of the land transfer, while members Beth Skeel and Anne Wombwell deConingh voted against it. The parks commission had turned it down on a 2-1 vote in October, when Mrs. Lutz was absent.
Mrs. Skeel, a former village councilwoman, said the issue was reconsidered at the request of the mayor in a memo that noted the trade for park improvements.
It's not a sentimental attachment to the property that's at stake, she said. The 10-foot strip also serves as access to the river, the dam and its wing walls, as well as a sewer line, Mrs. Skeel said.
Village Engineer Timothy Lannon said it's more expensive to access the sewer and dam from the opposite side of the river. He said the village should reline the sewer line prior to construction of the building so that it's in optimum condition.
Resident and former Councilwoman Kathryn Watterson pointed out that the dam wing walls and caps also may need future repairs. The dam was built by village founder Noah Graves in 1841, she said.
Mrs. deConingh said the restaurant addition would intrude on the privacy of people using the park.
Mr. Spectorsky said improvements and the addition will bring the Mario's building "up to a signature structure and what it used to be." He described its current condition as "dilapidated. An air-conditioning unit already blocks access to the river, he added.
As a point of historical reference, Mrs. Skeel said the village bought Bell Street Park along with Riverside Park and the 10-foot river access for $100,000 at the height of the Depression.
She cautioned that it's unknown what effect the planned lowering of the upstream Ivex dam will have on the downtown dam.
Councilman Steven Patton said, whatever is recommended to council regarding the 10-foot strip of parkland, it will require further discussion on the committee level. That is planned at 7 p.m., Dec. 8 prior to the next council meeting.
If the committee recommends in favor of the developers, council will not decide it as emergency legislation, he said, and there would be time for the public to weigh in on the issue.
Even if council decides to sell, lease or trade for the property, Mr. Spectorsky and his partners will still need the property rezoned from its present park status. Setback variances also will be necessary, Mr. Himes said.
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