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Project could just go with smaller Get-Go
(by Sue Reid - March 08, 2012)
Project could just go with smaller Get-Go
By SUE REID
A split vote by the Solon planning commission last week for a zoning variance associated with a proposed Get-Go gas at the Solar shopping center may resulted in a smaller building design.
At Monday's City Council meeting, Pasquale Avolio, director of real estate development and construction for Giant Eagle, which owns the Get-Go stations, along with the supermarket chain, said the company would be willing to have a smaller gas station if that's the city's preference.
"We looked at it long and hard," he said. "We can live with a smaller building."
A 721-square-foot accessory building area variance before council had received a split vote from the planning commission. The variance is needed due to a zoning classification adopted by voters in November 2009 that restricts the size of any outbuilding to 3 percent of the size of the anchor building.
Since the expanded Giant Eagle supermarket for the shopping center redevelopment at the southeast corner of SOM Center (Route 91) and Aurora (Route 43) roads is planned to be just over 92,000 square feet, the Get-Go would be limited to approximately 2,800 square feet. But the latest proposed size is 3,500 square feet.
Mr. Avolio said they could work with a building measuring 2,080 square feet. With a smaller building, there would not be a food-preparation area, but it would still offer beverages and small snack items, he said. A larger store would include submarine sandwiches made on site.
Councilman William D. Mooney said he favors a smaller Get-Go.
Mayor Susan A. Drucker noted that Planning Director Robert S. Frankland had indicated that a larger Get-Go may look better in proportion with the nearby Sprint building.
Mr. Frankland said following the meeting that, looking at the size purely from aesthetics, the larger building would have more glass and a more appealing facade. With the smaller building, the side facing Aurora Road would have spandrel, or fake glass, he said.
Mr. Frankland also noted that administrative work sessions associated with the smaller Get-Go would be needed.
In other business Monday, the Giant Eagle site plan and associated variances were on first reading before council.
Mrs. Drucker said they will go through the full three-reading process.
A vote is anticipated at council's first meeting in April to meet the deadline imposed by the current plaza owners for sale of the property to Echo Real Estate Services Co.
"From the planning commission's standpoint, this project has always been on the fast track," Councilwoman and commission member Toni M. Richmond said. "These are time constraints issued by the court."
Law Director Thomas Lobe said significant administrative review of the project has taken place, and many hours have been put in, even before the plans went before committees.
"We see the finish line," said Philip A. Bishop, vice president of Echo Real Estate Services Co. "We are here to stay, and we are excited."
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