Planning Commission Clears Way for 115.6 Acres of Protected Wetland Headed to City Ownership
The Macedonia Planning Commission on Oct. 19 cleared a key hurdle for a land gift that will eventually put more than 115 acres of high quality wetland in city hands. Members also sent Burlington’s proposed storefront sign back for revisions. A request to repaint Tacos Mexicanos was withdrawn.
Commission Chair Kevin Westbrooks and members Scott Wallenhorst, Jason Roberts and Christine Meske attended. Michael Varhola was absent. Mayor Nicholas Molnar was also present. Members approved the Sept. 21 meeting minutes.
Land Gift Heads Toward a November Closing
DALM Land Ltd. sought approval for a lot split and consolidation tied to its pending gift of land to Western Reserve Land Conservancy. Gutoskey & Associates submitted the application.
The managing partner representing the owners said she, her late husband and partners bought roughly 150 acres, mostly wetlands, many years ago. Talks with the conservancy have gone on for at least five years and are nearing the end, she said.
“It’s going to be a huge bonus for this community,” she said.
A survey by Joseph Gutoskey puts the conservancy parcel at 115.6 acres. About 71.4 acres are in Macedonia and about 44.2 acres are in Northfield Center Township. In his memo, City Planner Brian Frantz said the land will go to the conservancy and ultimately be deeded to the city. Ordinance 45-2026 contemplates that transaction.
Why an Exception Was Needed
The plan also creates three smaller parcels. Parcel 1, about 3.16 acres, has frontage on Capital Boulevard. Parcel 3, about 14.37 acres, keeps its access from Empire Parkway after 5.22 acres are added to the conservancy land.
Parcel 2 was the issue. That 4.2 acre piece would stay with the owners, and it has no frontage on a dedicated public road as city subdivision rules require.
The managing partner said the conservancy drew its boundary around the land it wanted. It asked the owners to square off what remained. That leftover piece has a creek running through it and wet ground, she said.
Access would come through an easement out to Empire Parkway. Frantz said city regulations let the commission grant an exception for unusual conditions. City Council must then ratify it. He said council and the mayor fully support the project.
David Wagner of Hanna Commercial Real Estate said the property will also have access out to Highland Road. Some land has already been sold to existing Macedonia businesses on Highland Road, he said. Other nearby owners have expressed interest in the remaining parcels.
Molnar, who also serves as the city’s economic development director, said the city is working on opportunities near the site but outside the conservancy land. Access is needed, he said.
“We want to make sure that we have that opportunity still available to us,” Molnar said.
Members voted 4 to 0 by roll call to grant the exception. The motion cited exceptional conditions justifying an access easement to Empire Parkway. It now goes to council. The owners hope to close with the conservancy Nov. 10.
What Happens to the Land
Hannah Kelling of Western Reserve Land Conservancy said the group has raised the full amount needed to buy the property. It would own the land temporarily while drawing down money from two sources. One is the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund through the Ohio Public Works Commission. The other is federal North American Wetlands Conservation Act funding.
Both sources carry restrictions. Kelling said the land will be legally bound as conservation land. Only a municipality or a nonprofit with conservation in its mission can own it.
During its ownership, the conservancy hopes to start restoration work, including removing some invasive species. It will also talk with the city about when to transfer ownership. Kelling said limited public access could be a great outcome someday, though that decision belongs to the city.
About 75 of the 115 acres are rated Category 3 wetland, the highest designation under Ohio’s assessment method. Naturalists who studied the site for grant applications found species of concern there, Kelling said.
“It’s a very high quality wetland in your own backyard,” she said.
Burlington Sign Too Tall and Too Large
Burlington at 500 E. Aurora Road wants to update its signs to match its new registered trademark. Advanced Installation and Sign Service filed the request. The new “Deals. Brands. WOW!” tagline replaces the list of departments under the store name. Burlington is rolling out the logo and a refreshed store layout at locations nationwide.
Frantz said the store follows Macedonia Commons sign standards because of a 2003 commission decision. That decision was based on a recommendation from then City Planner David Hartt. With about 125 feet of frontage, Burlington is allowed 250 square feet of identification signage in total.
The proposed wall sign is 8.5 feet tall and nearly 34 feet wide. Frantz measured it at about 288 square feet. Burlington listed 240 square feet by counting only the letters. City code requires counting the space between elements when they form a single sign.
Height is also a problem. The commission raised the limit from 5 to 6 feet on June 16, 2014, at the request of the Commons’ previous owners.
A revised plan dropped a blade sign and an under canopy sign, since code allows one sign per building elevation. The main sign was unchanged, however. A proposed 61 square foot temporary banner is well over the 12 square foot limit. Trim caps and returns must also be dark bronze, which the revised plans did not reflect.
Members said they are bound by the code. Burlington can shrink the sign or seek a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals. The commission continued the request to its November meeting. Frantz noted the submission deadline for that meeting was just days away.
Tacos Mexicanos Withdraws Paint Request
Tacos Mexicanos at 223 E. Highland Road had proposed painting its brown brick white and its roof peak siding black. Applicant Bill Thompson also planned to remove gray vinyl siding from the back of the building.
In his memo, Frantz said the Town Center District follows Western Reserve architecture, which calls for red brick with white trim. He recommended keeping the brick color and changing only the roof peak siding.
The applicant withdrew the request before the meeting. Members confirmed it was a withdrawal and not a continuance. Any future proposal will require a new application. The commission voted to remove the item from the agenda.
Fairfield Inn Continued Again
A preliminary plan for a Fairfield Inn at 240 E. Highland Road was continued from September. The applicant was not ready, so members continued it again to November. At the Oct. 8 council meeting, Building Commissioner Nino Monaco said the hotel would go into the former Knights Inn location.
The commission’s next meeting is Nov. 16.
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FAQs
What land is being donated to Western Reserve Land Conservancy in Macedonia?
DALM Land Ltd. is transferring 115.6 acres, mostly wetland, near Capital Boulevard and Empire Parkway. About 71.4 acres are in Macedonia and 44.2 acres are in Northfield Center Township. The land is expected to eventually be deeded to the city.
Will the Macedonia wetland property be open to the public?
No decision has been made. The conservancy said limited public access could be a good outcome someday, but the choice belongs to the city once it takes ownership.
Why did the Macedonia Planning Commission need to grant an exception for the land split?
A 4.2 acre parcel the owners are keeping has no frontage on a public road. The commission allowed access through an easement to Empire Parkway, and City Council must ratify the exception.
Why was Burlington’s new sign in Macedonia not approved?
The proposed wall sign is 8.5 feet tall and about 288 square feet. The store’s limits are 6 feet and 250 square feet. The request was continued to the November meeting.
What is a Category 3 wetland?
It is the highest quality rating under Ohio’s wetland assessment method. About 75 of the 115 acres headed to the conservancy carry that rating.
