Brainard Crossing Development Plan Threatened by Delay
Developer says Giant Eagle will not wait until November.
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Lance Osborne said he will not be involved in development of the former Catalano's site if Highland Heights officials do not put a zoning issue on the ballot next spring.
According to Highland Heights Law Director Tim Paluf, a zoning change that would permit a GetGo gas station on the site must be on the ballot in a November general election. Osborne, who disputes that interpretation of the city charter language regarding initiative petitions, said Giant Eagle will not give him that much time in control of the property.
"We'd have to release it," said Osborne, who appeared before the city's Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday to present members with an update on his plans.
Osborne added that his attorneys are meeting with the city to work out an agreement and he still hopes he can get on the ballot in March.
"In the end, the citizens of Highland Heights will have the final say," Osborne said.
Osborne, who developed the Shoppes at Alpha Place, wants to build 25,000 square feet of retail space called the Shoppes at Brainard Crossing at the former Catalano's grocery store site at Brainard and Wilson Mills roads.
The development would also include a 5,500-square-foot GetGo convenience store with a cafe and a gas station and car wash.
Osborne collected signatures and submitted initiative petitions to city council on Aug. 2 to get the zoning issue on the ballot. Council rejected the petitions in September and Osborne returned with a written request, which, according to the city's charter, requires council to forward the petitions to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.
marie harmon
1:51 pm on Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Why doesn't the developer put a get-go at Alpha Park? Who would want 20 gas pumps doing 24/7 gas fillups in their neighborhood? At least Alpha is somewhat of a distance from residential property. The Bishop Road intersection is a gateway to Highland Heights from Richmond Heights. Why not another gazebo? and park? We do not need another gas station and convenient store there. The current businesses would close and there would not be any tax benefit. It is amazing that this plan has gone as far as it has.
Mike Times
5:01 am on Thursday, December 1, 2011
The Brown-Flynn building across the steet is for sale. This property together with the former gas station property on the northeast corner of bishop and willson mills should provide getgo with enough space to build a gas station.
I would trade this venture to Giant Eagle only if they sold the former Catalano site to another food chain, preferrably a high end one.
Roger Vozar
8:44 am on Thursday, December 1, 2011
Giant Eagle's not going to allow another grocery store into the Catalano's space - I can't imagine they would be OK with the competition. As for Alpha Place having a GetGo, there are two gas stations there already so I don't think that's going to happen unless they can convince someone to sell and take over one of those.