Windows or no windows?
That was the question on January 9, at the Macedonia Planning Commission meeting as representatives for a jewelry store asked to remove ceiling windows from previously approved plans.
Representatives from Don Basch Jewelry Store met with Commission members to discuss removing windows from plans at the 8226 Fairlane Drive location.
The windows, approved last year, needed to be removed in order to adjust for signage, according to the business reps.
Commission members disagreed and both sides exchanged ideas, sketches and sometimes angry words until the impasse was over.
Plans were originally approved to include windows in the ceiling which would allow additional light to filter down and into a customer area.
According to Planning Commission members the approved plans, including the windows, looked good.
Tempers began to flare after member Kevin Westbrooks perceived Basch representatives were getting upset.
“This was also something that was agreed upon and approved,” Westbrooks said. “So you can get as mad as you want and I can tell you’re getting irritated. We are trying to work with you. We could say “that’s it. You’re done. No approval.’”
The Basch representatives claimed they were not upset, but wanted to work with the city.
Commission member Scott Wallenhorst said he believed the windows should remain, he said. Westbrooks agreed.
“What is approved, we feel, is very nice looking,” Westbrooks said. “I saw a picture of that and it just did not look good.”
Wallenhorst asked the jewelry store representatives if they had brought drawings detailing their requested changes. They did not.
It appeared something said low to Westbrooks, by one of the reps, upset him. The words could not be heard on the microphone.
“Now you’re getting insulting, which makes me want to approve this even less,” Westbrooks said. “Suppose we table this until the next meeting?”
There was also disagreement about how much room would be left for signage and how large a sign could be, if windows are removed versus left as approved.
And while the reps did not bring additional drawings, sketches and plans were created by Commission members and it was determined smaller windows and design modifications which will leave room for additional signage.
Basch reps and Commission members agreed to the compromise.
A motion approving the plans, pending administrative review, was passed.
The signage still has to be approved.
In other legislation:
The Planning Commission approved an application for logo signage, an electronic messaging center, and various technical issues for The Wave Car Wash at 309 E. Highland Road The vote is pending administrative approval.
The business has been granted variances on sign height and electronic messaging center volume.
The IHOP Restaurant was granted approval to add just under 200 feet of extra operating space.
Paul Waltz of L&P Architecture, represented the IHOP Restaurant at 613 E. Aurora Road.
“They need an additional 190 feet of operating space,” he said.
