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Neighborhood petitions against Central Park
(by Mike Klimko - August 27, 2008)
Neighborhood petitions against Central Park
By MIKE KLIMKO
One neighborhood in Ward 4 put up a solid front last week in opposition to plans in Solon for planned-unit development and Central Park proposed by the Coral Co.
Donald Gallo, of Sherbrook Park Drive, presented a petition signed by 107 residents at 67 of the 80 homes in the Sherbrook subdivision on Solon Road, north of the Coral site.
Coral Co. President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Rubin is planning a $700 million redevelopment of the SOM Centre shopping plaza east of SOM Center Road (Route 91) and adjacent property totaling 90 acres.
Mr. Gallo presented the petition prior to the vote by City Council to place a new zoning classification for planned-unit development on the November ballot and to approve a development agreement with Coral.
Council approved both measures with unanimous votes, including Ward 4 Councilman Edward K. Suit.
Council and Mr. Suit should take a different approach to retail redevelopment, Mr. Gallo said.
Of the 80 homes in the subdivision, he said, he and neighbor George Naff spoke with residents in 76 homes. Signatures from 88 percent of the homes objected to the plan for Central Park, Mr. Gallo said.
"We do not see any need for this council to put the rezoning issue on the ballot in November, because we feel you should put an end to this entire plan tonight," he told City Council.
"If nothing else, Mr. Suit, we urge you as our ward's elected representative, to follow the will of your constituents by ceasing your support for this development and, instead, redirect the council's efforts and the citizens' money to finding ways to revitalize the shopping areas we already have."
Residents in Sherbrook are concerned about how Central Park would affect the character of the neighborhood and the community for years to come, Mr. Gallo said.
Sherbrook is located north and east of the intersection of Solon and SOM Center roads. Traffic can enter the neighborhood from SOM Center Road, just north of Route 422, and from Solon Road, just east of the Sedlak Interiors, he said.
Mr. Gallo congratulated Mr. Rubin on the planning and the marketing of Central Park. The project looks and sounds fantastic with impressive promotion, he said. But promotion by the developer has been deceptively alluring, he said, and council has appeared to accept the project without making a critical assessment.
"Our major concern is with the nature of this town," Mr. Gallo said. "How many people in this room moved to Solon because it featured a huge shopping center, a multi-story hotel and lots of traffic? Or maybe you grew up in this town, longing for it to be something other than a quiet, pleasant place to live."
The petition submitted to council objects to the change in the character of the community, the increase in visitors and residents on the site, cut-through traffic, disruption of the neighborhood and increased traffic in the area.
"Such a development will change the character of our neighborhood and our city forever," according to the petition. "We believe most Solon residents view our city as a small suburban community that promotes a quiet, peaceful lifestyle, along with excellent schools, convenient shops and easy access to neighboring communities not found in Solon," it said.
"The increased population and traffic, which is terrible during rush hour now, will make it more difficult for us to ship, visit, attend community activities and travel in our city," according to the petition.
"While members of council have repeatedly stated the support of Solon residents for this project, we want to make you aware of the strong opposition to this development that exists in the Sherbrook community, a neighborhood that will be impacted more than many other areas of Solon by this proposed development."
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