Nestle Plans Public Open Houses With Rezoning on the Ballot
The company will hold public open houses on Oct. 6 and Oct. 20 as Solon residents prepare to vote on a rezoning that could allow Nestle to build a new R&D facility
Nestle has scheduled two public open houses in October to discuss the company's plans to build a new research and development facility in Solon.
Of course, Nestle's expansion plans depend on the public, which will vote Nov. 8 on whether to rezone property off Cannon Road for the facility. Nestle owns the property but right now it's zoned residential.
The open houses are set for Oct. 6 and Oct. 20, both from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Nestle building at 30003 Bainbridge Road.
"During the Open House events, our Nestlé R&D leadership team will be available to review the property map and building concepts we propose to pursue once rezoning has been achieved," Nestle spokeswoman Roz O'Hearn said in an email.
Nestle officials say the new research and development would help it expand its frozen food business. The facility will house as many as 120 to 140 workers, which would include 40 to 60 new jobs in Solon. Nestle is already Solon's top employer.
Nestle had to gather nearly 1,000 signatures to get the rezoning on the ballot. The company collected about 1,500.
Because the rezoning will be approved or denied in the ballot box, Nestle now has to court Solon residents and convince them the plan is sound and will benefit the city.
They will especially have to convince voters in Ward 5, where the project is located. Not only do a majority of the city voters have to approve the rezoning, but a majority in Ward 5 alone is also needed.
Some residents near the proposed facility have already expressed concerns about traffic and other related issues. Nestle officials said they are eager to work with the city, and will hold meetings with residents.
Greg Crough
9:47 pm on Thursday, October 6, 2011
Nestle is a great company and good for Solon but what they want to do here is not good for the residents of this area. If this rezoning passes then when all is said and done there will be an industrial driveway on a residential street. Research center of not it will add 140 cars to Cannon road daily and change the entire mood of the neighborhood. Right now this corner is a residential street with the metro park as the cross road. The last thing this area needs is a comercial driveway with a Nestle sigh. There are plenty of commercial areas that could be considered. Rezoning this land and allowing industrial access to a residential street is a one way journey. Once this land is rezoned there is no turning back.
Jacki Calavitta
1:38 pm on Monday, October 17, 2011
Right you are, Greg. There is no "reset" button. With the lack of a site plan, resolution of environmental issues, and other specifics, Nestle is asking local residents, in essence, to hand them a blank signed check. Discussions and conceptual drawings presented prior to the election are not legally binding. Once rezoned, any permitted use within the I-2 zoning classification would be permitted. Voters, especially those in Ward 5 most affected by this change, had better think long and hard before they get sucked in by all the hype.