HH City Council

I asked Cathy Murphy (our council person) to look into the city buying the lots that abut the city park and our property. It doesn't hurt to ask. This could make up for some of the green space that we lost when the new parking lot went up in the park.

WARD 1
Cathy Murphy, Council President
658 Charles Place
440-442-3809 cmurphy@highlandhts.com

At the last city council meeting (as described by a neighbor of ours who attended), the developer interested in these lots (that abut our back yard and the park) was not present, only a representative from the real estate office. They presented a very preliminary proposal for a new street with 12 houses (6 per side). The lots meet the code standards, but the houses would have to be only 37ft deep (front door to rear door).

Council suggested that the developer find additional land to make the lots more attractive or have a street with only houses on one side. It is possible that houses on one side would be cost prohibitive.





Council advised that they would not be willing to give lot variances to accommodate houses deeper than 37 ft. The 37ft would include the house and any extras such as a deck, patio or enclosure. Our neighbor's take is that it looks like the developer has a long way to go to convince council on the idea of a street... at least with the current plan provided.

xx


Hi Jeanette-

Great to hear from you-

Thanks for the email.


In regards to the property, the owners appear every so many years with different plans for residential development there. One plan was even for cluster housing, if you can believe that.

I served on P and Z for many years and was always a strict constructionist about our zoning code. These owners have been turned away time and time again, because quite honestly they cannot develop the property to meet their subjective "economic" goal without getting "blanket variances" as to the lot dimensions for any proposed subdivision. I absolutely oppose any blanket variances period. Their "financial return " on the property is irrelevant and should not be considered a factor in granting variances. FYI: Any subdivision plan must have both P and Z AND council approval. So as a council rep I am still involved in the process. In the past, P and Z has enforced our code - and these owners have been sent packing. As to any cluster development a few years ago, they were informed that that area is not zoned for cluster housing. DAH

I believe this NEW(in some ways OLD) proposal AGAIN must fail because it would require a blanket variance for the lot depth. Our code requires 200 ft and their subdivision plan call for about 168 foot deep. Not to mention the wetlands, basin and other issues that they have not even attempted to address. Council discussed this matter last nite and P and Z is aware of our position- say NO to these newest, wholly inadequate, plans. I plan to continue to monitor this matter as it is in P and Z stage, and will update you accordingly. However, I would feel reassured that these owners will again be sent packing. Rest assured, The effect of any development on Hawthorne is front and center priority for me.

Next, re: your question on possible city acquisition- I believe is a good one. All your points are well-taken. Realistically, given the timing, this is something to bring up for next year's budget and capital expenditures.

(FYI: We are already involved in another land acquisition for this year- I cannot share details of this pur! chase as it is pending. )I believe we have some time because there is no way the owners of the prop adjacent to you , will move forward with any other "development" by then.

I think (you may already know) that Amy Feron and Tom Busher are also encouraging the idea for the city to look at buying the property.

Now that the idea is out there- Let's keep it alive. I will bring it up at council meeting.

Stay in touch
Cathy
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Property near Hawthorne
From: Jeanette Evans
Date: Tue, September 11, 2007 2:06 pm
To: cmurphy@highlandhts.com
Hello Cathy,
Please let me know if there was talk at the last
city counsel meeting or otherwise about the property
that is for sale near Hawthorne.
This is the property that is south of Hawthorne.
I live at 5680 Hawthorne. This property that I am
questioning is for sale is in my back yard.
I would very much like to encourage you and all of
counsel to buy this property to increase the green
space in Highland Heights.
This is an ideal opportunity to increase the green
space as some was removed with the parking lot built
in the park. In addition, the green space behind
Hawthorne abuts the park. This is an ideal situation
for Highland Heights to buy the property.
Thanks and please let me know what happens.