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Central Park zoning heads for ballot
(by Mike Klimko - August 21, 2008)
Central Park zoning heads for ballot
By MIKE KLIMKO
Rezoning for planned-unit development needed for the Coral Co.'s Central Park project will be decided by Solon voters in November.
City Council was unanimous Monday in approving legislation to place the zoning issue before the electorate. Council also unanimously approved a development agreement with Coral.
Residents who turned out at City Hall to oppose or support the zoning issue and the redevelopment of the SOM Centre shopping plaza and 90 acres east of SOM Center Road (Route 91), between Bainbridge and Solon roads, addressed council before the vote.
Opponents said they're wary of increased traffic in their neighborhoods as the result of Central Park, retail vacancies brought on by the sluggish economy and a change of the character for Solon.
"There's an old song, 'You're not a kid anymore,'" Mayor Kevin C. Patton said prior to the action by council. "Solon is not a kid anymore. We're a big-time player as a community."
This is a time of change for Solon, Mr. Patton said. Westlake has gone through change, he said, noting that opponents of the Crocker Park lifestyle center there admitted they were wrong and enjoy visiting the development.
Crocker Park has not strained safety forces, and property values in Westlake have appreciated, Mr. Patton said. "If we blow this opportunity, it will be a long, long time until another comes along."
The issue before council and voters is only the zoning, Councilwoman Susan A. Drucker said. The issue is an emotional one and should be voted on, she said. Council is trying to do what's best for Solon, she said.
Approval of the zoning at the polls would mark the beginning of an extensive review by city officials and the developers of financing and development plans, Law Director David J. Matty said.
Zoning for planned-unit development for the center of town is the lead into three stages, including the preliminary development plan, the master development plan and the construction plan.
Central Park will be developed in phases, according to the agreement with the developers. The first phase calls for 250,000 square feet of retail, 150,000 square feet of office space and 100 residential units.
Improvements to the Route 422 interchange at SOM Center Road, a connector road from the eastbound exit ramp to Bainbridge Road, entrances to Central Park and other improvements are to be completed in the first phase.
One million square feet for office, 1 million square feet for retail and 555 residences covering 800,000 square feet are the ultimate goal of Central Park. Two anchor stores totaling 250,000 square feet are planned.
Great communities plan, and painfully they change, Councilman Edward H. Kraus said. That is the only way to remain great, he said. A lot of work went into the project in the past year, he said.
Solon is grade F for traffic, Mr. Kraus said. "We have an 800-pound gorilla for traffic. And it's here, and it's us. Traffic will never be an A. It may not be a B. Improvements will be a D, not great, but not a failure."
Studies show the city will be able to handle the drainage and traffic at Central Park, Mr. Kraus said. "We have no choice. The developers can make improvements that the city is not in a position to do."
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