Solon Seeks to Make Zoning Changes

The next Solon City Council meeting will mark the second consecutive public hearing in the city.

Council agreed to hold a hearing June 18 regarding an ordinance that would modify permitted uses in the city's C-5 Industrial Retail and Service District. The district mostly includes Enterprise Parkway, where is located. It is one of the city's smaller zoning districts, and doesn't even extend to the closest main intersection — Aurora and Cochran roads.

Councilman Edward Kraus said there weren't specific uses the city or potential retailers had in mind, but that officials wanted to increase future possibilities in the area.

"There were certain restrictions that were put in place for the industrial area," Kraus said. "We want to expand that just so it's available to everyone. It's giving the owners more flexibility."

The code definition states that gas stations are prohibited, along with "any other use incompatible with the permitted uses." Current uses include fast-food restaurants, hotels, banks and child-care facilities. Since the public must vote on any zoning changes, the issue will be the center of a public hearing before it appears on a ballot.

Monday's meeting also served as a public hearing, but nobody spoke. The hearing was related to the filing date of nominating petitions in the city. The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections previously requested that communities change their deadlines to no later than 90 days before the date set for the general election. The current filing date in Solon is 75 days prior to the election.

Council on Monday also decided to send an ordinance amendment to the ballot in November regarding the city's C-2 commercial district. The amendment would allow pet stores in the district. Kraus said a pet retailer previously in a location at Uptown Solon Shopping Center.

In other news:

• Council approved five pieces of legislation that will grant setback variances and site-plan approvals for the likes of PNC Bank and . Most of the applicants sought approval for parking lot improvements. Solon City Schools asked for a 25-foot drive aisle and parking setback variance, for example.

• Finance Director Dennis Kennedy said net income tax collections in the city stand at $17.2 million, or about 1 percent less than at this point last year.

• Council approved an ordinance accepting donations to the . The donor wished to remain anonymous, but will give theater equipment and $5,000 to the center.