A high-profile piece of property in Mentor is targeted for a senior independent living facility.
Mentor Planning Commission on Feb. 8 will consider Clover Communities Mentor LLC’s request for an informal review of plans to rezone about 10 acres on the city’s west end of Route 20 from M-1 Light Manufacturing and R-10 Multi-Family to B-2 General Business.
The total project size is nearly 14 acres and involves vacant land on the north side of the street between Queensdale Apartments and Bumpers Bar & Grill.
The applicant is proposing a 119-unit facility without dining or health care support services. According to the city administration, this doesn’t conform to Mentor’s zoning code definition for an independent living development, which is as follows: A multi-unit senior housing development that provides a meal (or meals), housekeeping, social activities and transportation to a minimum of 50 percent of the residents, or a percentage determined by the Commission.
Should the applicant choose to pursue an alternate rezoning, apartments are a permitted use in R-10, Multi-family Residential district. The maximum permitted density is 10 units per acre, and the proposed development would conform to the density requirement, according to a staff report to the Commission.
“While no detail has been provided as to the nature of the project other than a site plan and statement it would cater to those 55-plus, no apartments have been constructed in the city for at least 25 years, and it could offer an alternative living opportunity for those not interested or able to purchase or rent a house or condominium,” said Ronald M. Traub, Mentor economic & community development director.
Under the R-10, Multi-family Residential classification, projects are required to include recreation or park areas equal to at least 5 percent of the total development.
The proximity of the proposed development to the railroad tracks would require buffering and screening along the rear of the property as well as from the light manufacturing along the western boundary.
The informal review is the first step to amend the city zoning map, followed by the formal rezoning application to the Commission. The Commission makes a recommendation to City Council, which would then vote whether to place the zoning amendment on the ballot. The city charter requires that a zoning change from any residential district classification to an industrial or commercial zoning district go before voters.
There have been multiple attempts to put housing on the property in the past:
• September 1968 — The Commission denied a request to rezone the property from M-1, Light Manufacturing to R-10, Multi-family Residential.
• October 1980 — An informal request was submitted to rezone the property from B-2, General Business and M-1, Light Manufacturing to R-10, Multi-family Residential. No further action was taken by the applicant.
• April 1985 — A minor subdivision was approved by the administration.
• February 1991 — An informal request was submitted to rezone the property from B-2, General Business and M-1, Light Manufacturing to R-10, Multi-family. No further action was taken by the applicant.
Also on this week’s agenda is a request to modify the Newell Creek planned unit development plan to allow a 171-unit, 184,500-square-foot senior care campus.
Pepper Pike-based Omni Property Companies is proposing 19 single-family villas with garages, an 88-unit independent living facility, a 44-unit assisted living facility and a 20-unit memory care facility.
The project would occupy more than 19 acres on the south side of Norton Parkway between Sterling Court and Garfield Road. The property is bordered by single-family homes and an assisted living facility, Avery Dennison, Interstate 90, and a 4-acre undeveloped site, CT Consultants and NOAH’S Event Venue.
In 2004, the PUD was revised to include construction of Norton Parkway and the designation of the south side of the road for offices.
From the city’s perspective, a senior residential community would be a significant departure from the approved plan and would not be in keeping with the users that have made a substantial investment in the office neighborhood, Traub said, referring to Avery Dennison, CT Consultants and NOAH’S. He noted that the property owner has been unable to sell the site for office use since the plan amendment was approved.
If the Commission agrees with the administration, the applicant would need to submit a new application and follow the same procedure as for the original approval. The Commission’s recommendation on the new application would go to City Council for review.
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