Discount Tire project turned down by Mentor

Size apparently matters when it comes to what locates on the defunct Urban Roadhouse site in Mentor.

The city’s Planning Commission rejected Discount Tire’s request to locate on the site after learning that the business couldn’t operate in conformance with updated buffer requirements.

The rules were developed for properties abutting residential areas in the years since the 4,900-square-foot restaurant building went up in 1995 for Pizzeria Uno. There have been seven other restaurants since.

The city requirements reduce the developable area on the property, and limit the number of parking spaces and truck-delivery zone crucial for the business, said an raSmith civil engineer who spoke at the June 14 meeting.

“There will be some buffer variance request for this site no matter what goes in,” he said. “The site is, like I said, is a narrow site with 25 feet on each side. You don’t have room to place a building and a drive aisle and parking — there is simply not room for all of it.”

He added that all Discount Tire’s services are performed within the enclosed building.

“I honestly don’t think neighbors will hear anything from this site,” he said. “I think this would be a much more appropriate use than a bar or another restaurant.”

He called the project a good transitional use and relatively low traffic-generator that would be an opportunity to provide a modern building and new landscaping to beautify the corridor.

However, the Commission voted down the buffer variance request and a conditional-use permit to allow vehicle servicing at 8807 Mentor Ave. The vote was 1-6 and 3-4, respectively

Most of the dissenters cited the lot size (about an acre).

“It just seems clear to me … the property is inappropriately small for the function you’re trying to do within the constraints that pre-exist,” Commission member Geoffrey Varga said. “These things should have been taken into consideration from the beginning.”

Varga requested and received confirmation that the existing building and layout is grandfathered in.

“So if another restaurant moved in — No. 9 — they would be in conformance to leave the parking the way it is,” he said. “It’s because this is a new building that the buffers have to be updated to the current requirements.”

“Yes, since this was considered new construction,” Planning Administrator Kathy Mitchell said.

The preliminary site plan for the project was dismissed without prejudice, so that the applicant has the option to submit a redesigned proposal.

The proposed hours were 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, closed Sundays. The facility was expected to employ 15 to 20 people.

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