Meeting About Whitney-Pearl Development is Tuesday

Public is invited to hear about plans for corner

 

By Debbie Palmer| Email the author | Article Date January 23, 2012

The new developers of the long-in-coming retail project at the corner of Pearl and Whitney roads will host a public meeting Tuesday, Jan. 24 to talk about plans there.

WXZ Development Inc., have set a public meeting for 7 p.m. at the Ehrnfelt Recreation Center to talk about the first phase of the project, which city officials said is to include an O'Charley's restaurant and a Sheetz gas station.

The parcel at Whitney and Pearl has been tied up in foreclosure since the Toledo-based Timberstone development group ran into financial obstacles and bowed out in 2009.

Timberstone was the second developer to plan and then abandon a project there.

Residents were promised a major retail project, to be called Renaissance Park, that would include a grocery store and a mix of other retail and restaurants by original developer David Lewanski, who in late 2005 said he had commitments from Lowe's, Bed Bath & Beyond and Circuit City to locate there.

Lowe's and GFS have been constructed so far. Circuit City is out of business, and Bed Bath & Beyond built a store at the Plaza at SouthPark.

When Lewanski left, Timberstone proposed a multi-phased project that would include smaller retail stores, restaurants and office space.

City officials said they met with WXZ in mid-November to talk about landscaping and general issues at the site.

Strongsville Patch will have coverage of the meeting on Wednesday.

Strongsville church seeks rezoning approval

By Emily Hanford, Sun News | Published: Wednesday, January 18, 2012, 2:00 AM

Though much of the March 6 primary election attention is going toward the Giant Eagle rezoning proposal, Strongsville United Church of Church is also asking for a zoning change. 

According to Ward 3 Councilman Jim Carbone, in whose ward the rezoning would take place, Issue 5 was put on the ballot as a precaution for possible future development by the church. 

At this time, Carbone says Strongsville United Church of Christ has no plans for the property at 19130 Royalton Road. The church is situated on northwest corner of Pearl and Royalton roads. 

“The church doesn’t want to be in a difficult situation when the church does decide to expand,” he said.

Voters will decide whether to rezone Ward 3 in order to change the ward’s classification to PF (Public Facilities) from R1-75 (One family 75) resident zoning. The rezoning would allow the church to expand its parking lot or facility in the future. 

“This could be something that happens five, 10, 20 years down the road,” Carbone said. “The church will be sensitive to any concerns residents have.” 

Carbone said he and the church are looking into bringing residents together to listen to any concerns.

“I haven’t heard anything negative,” Carbone said. 

Like the Giant Eagle rezoning, Issue 5 must receive a citywide majority vote as well as the majority vote in Ward 3.

Strongsville Driving Range owners to answer questions about rezoning plans

 By Emily Hanford, Sun News | Wednesday, January 18, 2012, 7:00 AM

The Strongsville Driving Range Property Owners are inviting residents to attend a public informational meeting regarding the rezoning plans in Ward 3 on Pearl Road.  

The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the St. John Neumann Church Activity Center located at 16271 Pearl Road.

The owners will give a presentation followed by a question and answer session. 

Residents will vote on the rezoning plans March 6.  Passage would allow Giant Eagle to move from its current location on Royalton Road to the property where Strongsville Golf and Honey Hut currently sit on Pearl Road. 

For more information about tonight's meeting, call (440) 846-2108.  City councilmen are expected to be at the meeting.

Strongsville Golf located on Pearl Road. The company is located on the property Giant Eagle would like to use to build a Market District store should Issue 4 pass.

Giant Eagle Public Zoning Meeting Announced.

Public Meetings Set on Market District Plan

Giant Eagle reps, city officials to explain project and answer questions

• By Debbie Palmer The Strongsville Patch

The first of three public meetings to talk about Giant Eagle's plan to build a Market District supermarket on Pearl Road is set for 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18 at St. John Neumann Church Activity Center, 16271 Pearl Rd.

Officials from Giant Eagle are expected to present information about the plan to construct a 110,000-square-foot Market District on the site of Strongsville Golf and Honey Hut.

It would be the first Market District -- an upscale version of Giant Eagle that features an in-store restaurant and foods from around the world -- in northeast Ohio and the second in the state.

But residents hold the key to whether it will be built here. The company needs to have part of the site rezoned from residential to business, which in Strongsville requires a vote of the people.

The rezoning is on the March 6 ballot. The issue would have to pass both citywide and in Ward 2.

A grassroots campaign, led by businessman Mike Catan, has already launched. It will include the public meetings, ads in local media and mailings.

"This is a unique product that is not anywhere else," Catan said. 

The city is supporting the project, saying it will revitalize the south Pearl Road corridor.

Sticking points, though, are the store's impact on nearby residents and on Pearl Road traffic.

Bruce Haney, managing partner of Echo Realty, the project developer, said the company would address buffering and traffic concerns "as quickly and honestly and openly as we can."

Mayor Tom Perciak said his fear is that Giant Eagle, which is unhappy with its outdated store at Westfield SouthPark, will leave Strongsville altogether if the Pearl Road project is not approved.

"If not there (Pearl Road), then where?" Perciak asked. "And what's going to happen if there isn't one (a Giant Eagle)?"

Other public meetings have been tentatively scheduled for mid- and late February.

Thanks, Debbie Palmer of The Strongsville Patch, for keeping the public informed on the progress of this important project.

Contact me if you have any questions info@carboneforstrongsville.com or go to my web site at www.carboneforstrongsville.com

Giant Eagle Changes Plans...

Giant Eagle Changes Plans; Seeks to Build First NE Ohio Market District Here

Strongsville store would be only second upscale location in the state

• By Debbie Palmer

Giant Eagle announced this afternoon it wants to build the first Market District store in northeast Ohio on Pearl Road in Strongsville.

The company told city officials today it wants to amend the plans it submitted late last year for a92,000-square-foot Giant Eagle on theStrongsville Golf property.

Instead, it wants to build a Market District store -- an upscale, 110,000-square-foot grocery store that includes a restaurant, pharmacy and a vast array of prepared foods.

Here is a preliminary sketch of the proposed Market District store. Credit Debbie Palmer

"This is going to be incredible," Jim Chickini, a Giant Eagle vice president, told city officials Tuesday afternoon. "These (stores) are special. There will only be a handful of these."

It would be only the second Market District in Ohio -- there is one in Upper Arlington, an affluent community near Columbus -- and the sixth in the nation. The other four are in Pittsburgh.

Giant Eagle officials wouldn't speculate yet on the cost of the project, but said the shell of a building alone would cost $10 million.

The store would create 150 to 250 new full or part-time jobs, in addition to the employees at the existing Giant Eagle store outside Westfield SouthPark.

The company would close that store once the Market District opened.

It would also build a Get Go gas station, either on the same property or nearby, Chickini said.

"For the first time in more than a decade, we hope to have a grocery store on Pearl Road," Mayor Tom Perciak said.

It's not a sure thing, however. Part of the Pearl Road site is zoned residential, and rezoning any parcel from residential to any other use must be approved by voters, both citywide and in the ward -- in this case, Ward 2.

City Council has already placed the rezoning on the ballot for a March vote. 

And a campaign for that vote is under way. Strongsville businessman Mike Catan, whose son, Nick, is providing legal representation for Giant Eagle, said he was so impressed by the project he has volunteered to run a campaign to get the rezoning approved.

"I think this is a project that's going to make a huge difference in our city," Mike Catan said. "In my opinion, we're creating a secondary shopping district in Strongsville, which is what we need."

Some officials said they believe the store would revitalize the south end of Pearl Road, which currently has a number of vacant storefronts.

City and company officials will host meetings with the public to answer questions about the project. Plans currently show two driveways onto Pearl Road, one with a traffic signal.

Giant Eagle has already vowed to provide landscaping and other features to buffer nearby residents from any noise and lighting.

"Giant Eagle is sensitive to the needs of our residential neighbors," Perciak said.

The company says its Market District stores are inspired by open-air European markets and a passion for food. The stores feature food from all over the world, in-store cooking demonstration, celebrity appearances and daily advice from employees.

Departments include gourmet cheeses, a sweet shop, housewares, health and beauty and a bakery, as well as meat, seafood and specialty foods.

The Post Article - January 6, 2012

Ward 3 Councilman Jim Carbone has big expectations

His vision includes consistent architecture and landscaping for certain areas

By TERRY BRLAS
Strongsville Post editor

Ward 3 Councilman Jim Carbone, who took the oath of office on Jan. 2, is the newest member to Strongsville City Council along with Ward 2 Councilman Matt Schonhut.

Carbone replaces 24-year councilman Mark Roth, who elected not to run again. Even though the new councilman realizes he has big shoes to fill he his is own person and excited to jump into the fray with mind and body.

"Matt and I talk about this a lot. We need to take what they did and build on it with different ideas, with a different vision," Carbone said. "The sky's the limit. I have big expectations and a lot of people supported me for the vision of what I want to do."

Strongsville school colors are green and white. Carbone's vision includes a green city in another fashion. His plan consists of a consistent look with trees lining Pearl Road.

"People are tired of this hodge-podge," he said. "Let's introduce legislation. We can do it. The naysayers think it's too late. I say absolutely not. It's never too late. Do we continue to do it wrong? We have great opportunity in our north and south end. This is the time to start creating that consistency.

"Jennifer Milbrandt (city arborist) is phenomenal. We can have buildings where their exterior is consistent, their landscaping is consistent and in the next five years we can rehab buildings by taking those elements to existing buildings. We will have transformed that area. Hopefully we can make it happen."

Carbone has similar thoughts regarding Prospect Road. In his words it all comes down to making an area desirable. Making a shopping district more attractive takes time, however.

"It has to have controlled growth. We don't want to rush things. It has to fit into the plans," he said.
Carbone wants to do everything in his power to make Strongsville a place where residents remain and live their lives to the fullest. He wants people to love the city as much as he does.

"I genuinely care. I have nieces and nephews that grew up here and want to remain here," he said. "There's a lot of weight on my shoulders. I need to keep Strongsville a strong community, along with the rest of Strongsville, so they can remain here."

In addition to his nieces and nephews, Carbone wants a strong future for his son, 2-year-old Michael Anthony, to be able to enjoy Strongsville and raise a family.

"We have a lot of development going on, but I want to gear it towards 10 to 20 years from now like a Rocky River or a Bay Village. Every so many years the community is reborn," Carbone said.

Carbone is an 18-year veteran of the North Olmsted Police Department. He serves as the school resource officer there. Safety and schools are his top two priorities when it comes to Strongsville and its citizenry. Without both being as strong as they can be development will not be what it can be.

"If you look at Cleveland's outer ring suburbs what made them deteriorate? It was because the schools declined and crime came in," he said. "Let's focus on those things. It's easy to say and maybe it changes when politics come into play. Let's focus on keeping the streets safe and let's focus on our schools."

He added, "The services are great here. It's not a case of improving services. It's a case of maintaining them. We can talk about beautification, that's all well and dandy. We need to bring economic development to the city so we can pay for these services."

Carbone stated that the first item on resident's minds at each meeting or interaction he has had since becoming elected is the state of the schools in Strongsville.

"We have to listen to residents. What are they telling us?" Carbone said. "The people I'm talking to are not dissatisfied with the education their children are getting or the education their children received.

"However, Strongsville schools are still using projectors in 2011. There is a portion of the school system that has to be run as a business. This community needs new buildings. We need a spark. Whatever we need to do to provide our kids with the best technology and best facilities, that's what we need to do."

Carbone defeated Larry Frawley by a 57-43 percent margin of victory, the largest of the three contested council races.

"I knew he (Frawley) had a lot of support from people in the community and a lot of support from Republicans. I knew if I just stayed the course, kept working, held to the values I was brought up on and ran a clean campaign that the people were going to back me."

Carbone's backing cut across all demographics. His support came from the young, senior citizens, men and women. In the end it was that type of broad based support that made the difference.

"I had so many people working for me that just moved to the community and people that have lived here for 40 years. If I'm going to toot my horn at all it's the fact that I've been here forever and people respect my family and me. They knew what they were getting."

Carbone makes a point to say that he is working for all the residents of Ward 3, not just the ones that voted for him.

"I'm excited to work for the people that didn't vote for me," he said. "Hopefully they are excited about their new councilman and I can earn their respect. At the end of the day we are all neighbors and I am a representative of them with the city."

Jim has been appointed as School Liaison!

First Day on the Job for 2 New Councilmen

• By Debbie Palmer (Strongsville Patch)
• Email the author

Strongsville's two newest councilmen cast their first official votes at Tuesday night's council meeting, 24 hours after taking the oath of office.

Matt Schonhut and Jim Carbone start 2012 as the new representatives in Wards 2 and 3, respectively.
"Welcome to government, and welcome to governing," Mayor Tom Perciak told them as Tuesday's organizational meeting started. "We look forward to a very successful four years."

Carbone got an assignment as his first council meeting -- Council President Mike Daymut appointed him to serve as council's liaison to the Strongsville schools.

"I think it's fitting," Carbone said. "I'm a school resource officer (in North Olmsted) and I went to Strongsville schools kindergarten through 12."

Otherwise, Carbone said he wants to spend his first weeks in office "learning as much as I can."
Schonhut, 20, is by far Strongsville's youngest councilman. He beat longtime Councilman Ray Haseley in a close race in Ward 2, while Carbone bested Larry Frawley in a race for the seat vacated by Mark Roth in Ward 3.

Ready to Serve...

Strongsville's newest councilmen ready for the job

Published: Tuesday, January 03, 2012, 11:39 AM     Updated: Tuesday, January 03, 2012, 11:47 AM

By Jennifer Karpus, Sun News

 

STRONGSVILLE — With the new year comes new representation for two wards in the city.

Matt Schonhut and Jim Carbone officially began their new council terms Jan. 2 when they — along with Mayor Thomas Perciak, Ward 1 Councilman Michael Daymut and Ward 4 Councilman J. Scott Maloney — were sworn in at the Walter F. Ehrnfelt Recreation Center. 

Both council rookies are looking forward to getting acquainted with their new positions and listening to resident opinions. 

At the tender age of 20, Schonhut nonetheless takes his role as Ward 2 councilman seriously. Although he’s pretty sure he is the youngest councilperson ever in Strongsville, his age is not something he focuses or dwells on. He does recognize that his age can help get more representation of the city active.

“Trying to get the younger people more involved is a great thing,” Schonhut said, explaining that getting more people involved will help keep the city vibrant. 

Schonhut starts his term with the talks of a Giant Eagle moving into his ward as a potentially huge economic opportunity — one on which he seeks residents’ input. 

“That’s a pretty big move,” Schonhut said of the Giant Eagle. “There’s a lot of things coming up right away.”

Schonhut said residents of his ward can expect a letter shortly inviting them to meetings in which they can share their views on the proposal. He also plans on having meet-and-greet type meetings with residents after he settles into his new position. He wants to create a more community feel throughout the city, creating more of a universal feel. 

Schonhut also hopes to get residents involved in discussions about the future development of Pearl Road down to Boston Road.

“I’m excited — that’s all I have to say,” Schonhut said about starting work. 

Carbone also expressed his excitement about his new role as Ward 3 council. He is currently trying to absorb all the information he can to serve his ward.

“There is going to be a learning curve,” Carbone said. “It’s trying to take in everything you can.”
Carbone is also looking to listen to residents’ voices about the proposed Giant Eagle in Ward 2 and also about a church in his ward that is looking to expand its parking lot. He wants to have plenty of opportunity for residents to speak.

“We represent the community,” Carbone said. “It’s very important to me that I know what the feel of the people is.”

Carbone plans on setting up meet-and-greet meetings as well, but is still working on details.
Both Schonhut and Carbone are available by phone to their residents at any time. To reach Schonhut, call (440) 554-9840 and to reach Carbone, call (440) 268-8089.

They both will receive city email addresses where residents will also be able to reach them, but they have not yet been activated.