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Nestle has big plans for facility
(by Sue Reid - September 14, 2012)
Nestle has big plans for facility
By SUE REID
Before Solon’s planning commission Tuesday was a site plan and associated variances for Nestle Foods, which is planning to construct a research and development center measuring approximately 150,000 square feet on its Harper Road property.
City Planning Director Robert S. Frankland indicated it is one of the largest buildings to be constructed in the city in recent years.
The center, to be located at 5750 Harper Road on an approximately 17.62-acre property immediately to the north of the main Nestle plant, will be three stories high. Future building additions consisting of about 51,000 square feet also are designated on the east and west sides of the building plan; however, these additions are not subject to review at this time as final elevations have not been provided.
The property in question was rezoned in November from R-1 single-family residential to I-2 industrial manufacturing specifically to accommodate the project. Nestle, which owns the land, had the issue placed on the ballot through an initiative petition and indicated the rezoning was necessary to allow the business to expand.
Most of the variances associated with the project are not major, Mr. Frankland said. Some are variances the city has encouraged, including the side street building set-back variance.
The city has encouraged Nestle to locate the building as close as possible to the Route 422 right of way line to move the structure as far as possible from Hawthorn Parkway and Cannon Road and to increase visibility from the highway.
“The city likes that kind of advertising,” Mr. Frankland said. “When people are driving down 422, they can see a new Nestle R and D center.
“It’s best not to be visible from inside the city.”
One of the issues raised by the city is that the project have as little impact as possible, vehicular and visual, for residents along Cannon Road. Residents in that area have cited concerns over increased traffic due to the project, as well as a decrease in property values as a result. Mr. Frankland said that it’s important that the project be moved as far away from the residential area as possible.
Other variances include total parking space variance, drive aisle-width variance, lighting level variance and grass height variance, among others.
It’s possible that the commission would table the item, Mr. Frankland said. The proposal before the commission is the first step in the city’s approval process since the rezoning was approved.
In other updates, Nestle is still awaiting approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
“It’s a critical permit for us to receive,” Roz O’Hearn, Nestle spokesperson, said Tuesday. As part of the approval process, the city would require the Army Corps permit, wetland delineations and proof of mitigation.
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