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Official Ballot Language is below for ISSUE 34
KEY POINT >>> The rezoning vote was not about any concept presentation, it is about two simple questions:
1. Do we want or need mixed-use in our bucolic community? The answer was NO and as a matter of fact IT WOULD HAVE HURT US!
2. Was the language in the proposed new zoning Chapter 1271 adequate to protect us? The answer here was NO as well for the below documented reasons.
(A) George Smerigan, the City Planner, in his July 11, 2020 letter to City Council highlighted the inadequacy of
the language of Chapter 1271 (which is what we are voting on in ISSUE 34, not any concept presentation).
George said "the language is the key issue and the language is awkward and subject to varying
interpretations."
(B) Based on the City Planners report Mayor Bain is quoted as saying in the Chagrin Valley Times July 23, 2020
article that "I cannot support this ballot initiative as it is written because the way it is written does not
adequately protect the City's interests."
(C) Even the developer, in his July 20, 2020 letter to City Council, has acknowledged that they need
to "..tighten up the language in ways that will be satisfactory, not only to Council members but the residents
of the City."
(D) Thus, everyone was aware that this is being rushed to a public vote and that the language of Chapter 1271
as written was inadequate and was voted down.
Remember, Issue 34 was for 3 pieces of property (totaling about 72 acres) which includes:
PP# 872-40-001Beech Brook (68 acres)--green space
PP# 872-40-003 New Directions (4 acres)
PP# 872-36-011: Parker/Passov (2 acres)
Issue 34
Key Questions:
The rezoning vote was not about any concept presentation, it was about two questions:
(1) Do we need or want MIXED-USE in our bucolic community?
(2) Was the language in proposed Ordinance Chapter 1271 adequate?
Answer was NO--and the residents Voted NO on ISSUE 34!
What if Beech Brook Stays U-2/Current Zoning?
City Council has a Moratorium on U-2 BUT is currently revising U-2. Stay informed!
City Council has a Moratorium on U-2 BUT is currently revising U-2. Stay informed!
City Council has a Moratorium on U-2 BUT is currently revising U-2. Stay informed!
Currently City Council is working on updating U-2 zoning language. At this time, there is a moratorium on U-2 zoning.
However, City Council is currently revising U-2 so please attend City Council meetings to stay informed!
What can they build in U-2? This is currently under review by City Council
City Council has a Moratorium on U-2 BUT is currently revising U-2. Stay informed!
City Council has a Moratorium on U-2 BUT is currently revising U-2. Stay informed!
Remember this is under review of City Council and there is a moratorium on U-2 until it is revised. Currently, in Pepper Pike U-2 is Public Buildings: Public or private day schools, churches, libraries, club houses, community centers, parish houses, a city hall or municipal departments.
But again, the definition of U-2 is being proposed for revision/"redefinition" by City Council so please stay informed and attend City Council meetings.
What Axiom was Proposing We Don't Need and We Don't Want
Removing trees and replacing with "mixed-use" buildings that must include retail, commercial, office and high-density residential buildings, increasing traffic in our already congested Lander Circle area next to all of our schools (Orange High School, Brady Middle School, and Moreland Hills Elementary). Current Chapter 1271 language doesn't have a limit on the commercial space north of Willey Creek and is next to the schools.
NOTE: Moreland Commons, also an Axiom Development, remained a pile of dirt for ~ 2 years. Flooding now occurs on Chagrin Blvd. in front of Moreland Commons.
~200,000 sq. ft. of additional retail, commercial and office space set back only 25 feet from Chagrin Blvd. and 50 feet from Lander Road, adjacent to our school campus. Developing New Directions and Parker/Passov will greatly increase these values, along with two unspecified areas called "Future Development."
What about the empty stores in Pinecrest, Beachwood Mall, Eton, Village Square, Landerwood Plaza and the surrounding area?
~154 or more high-density homes (single to 4-unit attached townhomes) that our city doesn't need. We have a surplus of homes on less than an acre of land. Moreland Commons: 59 homes, only 10 sold (as of 6/16/2020) Edgewood Trace: 42 homes, only 10 sold (as of 6/15/20) LUXE: originally slated for sale but changed to rentals by the developer. This could happen here, too! Remember, according to AXIOM, the plans were only CONCEPTUAL. AFTER rezoning, the site plans could have been changed without a resident vote.
Say NO to REZONE
Once the area is rezoned and the developer takes over, city officials can approve ANY changes without a resident vote. We will have given away our authority if we vote for this “Mixed-use Overlay” zoning. This is why we have to stop the rezoning now. The approved final development plan may be transferred to another person, corporation, or group of individuals prior to issuance of a building permit. Axiom would have been allowed to “FLIP” this property any time--the final site plan was unknown. An approved final development plan is valid for 24 months after approval (it can remain a pile of dirt for ~24 months before anything is built).
Say NO to REZONE
The Western Reserve Land Conservancy is interested in helping preserve ALL the land if the rezoning doesn’t go through. Note:OPEN SPACE can be concrete and is NOT the same as GREEN SPACE. (to left: Actual Beech Brook Image)
Say NO to REZONE