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Retail plan squeezes green space at Geauga Lake
(by Joan Demirjian - November 26, 2008)
Retail plan squeezes green space at Geauga Lake
By JOAN DEMIRJIAN
A concept plan for a shopping center on 30 acres of the former Geauga Lake Park was reviewed Nov. 19 in Bainbridge.
Representatives of the Richard E. Jacobs Group Inc. presented a plan that includes a 104,000-square-foot anchor store, along with other free-standing retail stores and restaurants. It would be located on the area that was the parking lot for the amusement park. Most of the area is paved. The developer has an option to purchase the land, which fronts on Aurora Road (Route 43).
Bainbridge Zoning Inspector Michael Joyce said the township is working to be proactive by meeting with the developer informally to see what is being requested. He said no concrete proposals have been presented. Until the zoning office receives a formal application and plan, "it's very preliminary," he said.
James Eppele, vice president of real estate development for the Jacobs Group, said the company was contacted by a department store looking for a location in the area.
Jacobs Group representatives at the meeting would not name the store at this time but showed a preliminary site plan of the proposed development.
"We approached Cedar Fair," Mr. Eppele said, noting that only a small parcel is being sought.
Cedar Fair, owner of the property, has more than 500 acres on sale through Colliers-Ostendorff Morris, of Cleveland. Clifford West, who represents the company, attended last week's meeting.
There have been reports that the proposal is a "big-box-store" development, Mr. Eppele said. "We don't see it that way. There is no big-box part of this project."
It would be an extension of the retail of the nearby Marketplace shopping center, but on a smaller scale, Mr. Eppele said. It is based totally on the interest of the department store, he said.
The first step has been to meet with the township's zoning inspector to learn about the procedures, Mr. Eppele said.
Since talking with the zoning department, "we've refined our plan and increased the green space. We want to work with the township to make it happen," he said. "We're here to listen and learn and see if there is a way to move forward on this project."
There is already much retail in the area, which serves areas that include Bainbridge, Auburn, Aurora, Solon, Chagrin Falls and Twinsburg, Mr. Eppele said. There are several big-box stores at Marketplace shopping center, but "it doesn't have a higher-end department store," he said.
Incomes are strong, and there is growth in the area, he said in response to a question on why more development in the present economy is being considered.
It could be an extension of the shopping center retail uses and serve as a bridge to the other areas of the former amusement park that are being sold, Mr. Eppele said.
Gus Saikaly, director of the Geauga County Water Resources Department, said the developer would have to work with the City of Aurora for sewers, which owns the sewer lines and infrastructure in that area.
The plan will have to adhere to sediment and storm-water-control regulations, according to Carmella Shale, administrator and engineer for the Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District.
An issue is lot coverage and green space. Township zoning allows up to 40 percent coverage for commercial development. Because the plan calls for more than the lot coverage permitted by township zoning, it will have to go before the township board of zoning appeals for review.
Mr. Joyce said, if the site is designed properly, coverage could be reduced, possibly to 61 percent, but it could be up to 85 percent.
Mr. Eppele said they are trying to create more green space. "We'll take every measure in our control to make it green as possible," he said.
Geauga County Planning Director David Dietrich suggested that they consider reducing some parking spaces for green space. He noted that, even on busy weekends, there is more than enough parking at the Marketplace shopping center.
Mr. Eppele said retailers have requirements for parking and depend on those spaces when lots fill up during holidays. The department store plan calls for four spaces for each 1,000 square feet of space. The other stores would have five spaces per 1,000 square feet, he said.
Amy Brennan, director of the Chagrin River Watershed Partners, said impervious coverage, which includes driveways, parking areas and building cover, is an issue in Bainbridge. "Placement of green space is important," she said.
Mr. Eppele said the development would be set back 100 feet from Aurora Road, providing green space. The storm-water-detention ponds also would serve as green space, he said.
"We want to find out relatively quickly if we have a project here in six months or so," Mr. Eppele said.
A traffic study will be done for Aurora Road, he said. The existing entrance to the former parking lot off Aurora Road would be used, he said.
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