GetGo Put on November Ballot with Some Reservations
Stickan, Hargate raise concerns about project at council meeting
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The Highland Heights City Council voted to put the Shoppes at Brainard Crossing/GetGo project on the November ballot as expected, but not without some stiff opposition from two council members at the final regular meeting before breaking for August on Tuesday evening.
Council voted, 5-1, on the ordinance that placed the project on the ballot and voted, 4-2, on the development agreement with the Osborne Capital Group.
Ward 4 Council Member Lisa Marie Stickan voted against both the development agreement and the ordinance, while Edwin Hargate, a council member at large, voted against the development agreement but for the ordinance.
Council President Cathy Murphy, Leo Lombardo, Robert Mastrangelo and Frank Legan voted for both the ordinance and the development agreement. Council member Chuck Brunello Jr. was on vacation.
Stickan felt too many elements of the development agreement are unclear for concerned members of her ward and believes the ordinance and agreement are tied together in such a way that she couldn’t split her vote.
Stickan focused particular attention on the project’s signage that has been a problem for her and many in her ward.
“(The sign’s) created a lot of questions in the residents’ mind. It just sort of says Brainard Crossing. It doesn’t reference the GetGo. When that sign went up, there were a lot questions I was fielding about the project: ‘Did it happen already? Was it already approved? Is it including the GetGo?” Stickan said. “The developer needs to be straightforward with the terms of the project.”
Hargate believes the project needed more consideration of other developmental ideas for the property located at the old Catalano grocery store site, not to mention other legal considerations.
“This whole process was done without involvement of a planning expert. It’s essential you have a planning expert involved because not only do they make the agreement better – resolving and taking a look at what issues that are out there – but it is also important to protect the city’s zoning master plan. There could be litigation issues in the future on Wilson Mills Rd. If you don’t do that, you’re weakening the city’s position,” Hargate said.
Hargate also doesn’t believe the project brings true economic development to the city with a gas station bringing minimum wage jobs into the area. Plus it’ll be operating late in the evening which doesn’t appeal to Hargate and some residents.
Murphy reiterated the council’s decision is not an endorsement of the plan and that this is Osborne Capital Group and Giant Eagle’s proposal for Highland Heights residents to examine and vote upon.
Mayor Scott Coleman expressed his support for the ballot measure and said he would sign off on the project if it comes across his desk.
“I think we’ve come a long way with this project. I wanted to thank Mr. (Lance) Osborne for getting involved and listening to the concerns that we had. And it’s addressed most of the concerns the citizens had,” Coleman said. “I think we’re at a point right now where the residents have a right to speak and have a right to voice their opinion.”
Well, one person who certainly was happy Tuesday evening was Lance Osborne of the Osborne Capital Group.
“It’s on the ballot. That’s where we wanted it to be,” Osborne said. “We’ll present our plans to the citizens. It’s a strong plan. It’s the best plan for the city.”
Osborne said again Tuesday that there will be two public meetings to discuss the project with residents, but those have not been scheduled yet.
Murphy said residents will be receiving further information about the project in the mail but didn’t know exactly when it would be sent.
AMA
6:57 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
I am in total agreement with Ed Hargate and Lisa Marie Stickan.
Lance has pushed and pushed and the council needs further investigation of this projects and the effects it will have on close residences,property, and the worth of it all.
Late hours, minimum wage,alcohol, traffic,litter,noise,problems,property values going down. Tell me....how much revenue can this bring in to the city for this GetGo to be worth it? This will be the beginning of the downfall of Highland Hts.
Residences who live next door and surrounding areas will be affected so I hope the rest of the city takes into consideration, when they vote, those who will be putting up with all the traffic etc.....would you want this business as YOUR neighbor?
Sanford Shapiro
10:44 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Against it I see. Ok, let's leave the property undeveloped and become a worse eyesore thn it is now. A getgo would be good there because the one on Myfield is so crowded that it affects trafiic on Mayfield. Not all jobs would be minimum wage and did you ever think your values will go up because of easy access to commercial activity. Revenue is needed by all communities and this would help Highland Heights with that increased revenue. And other shops there would help keep some money in Highland heights instead of going to Lyndhurst,Beachwood,Mayfield Heights, or Richmond Heights. It is the world we live in and we have to get used to it.
AMA
11:47 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
How about it would be next to your house and or area?
I can't get out of my driveway now with the traffic on Brainard and Bishop already. Highland Hts isn't Mayfield Hts. And you think that all the surrounding suburbs won't come here for gas? You have Richmond Hts, Euclid,Mayfield Village....who needs a cafe serving alcohol till the wee hours. I have garbage on my lawn from the EXISTING businesses already, so tell me, how will this improve the area? I am NOT against the shops but I am against the GetGo. This will set back our city and open the door to more annoyances than we bargain for.
Sam Franklin
4:33 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Brainard has several vacant houses on it including one at the corner of Ridgebury. I think that effects property values just as much if not more to have vacant houses and businesses in the neighborhood. The Brown/Flynn building is also empty along with an adjacent lot. Being hostile to business isn't a good idea. Perhaps we should throw some graffiti on the building and let the lot get overgrown. Would the residents prefer that? See what that does for your values.
Sam Franklin
4:37 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
And just to finish up, Brainard is a major street. Most of the houses built came well after these commercial buildings were put there. The "trash" comes more from the thousands of commuters that throw our cigarettes, etc than anything. If you want to live on a quiet street and away from business, you should not be living on Brainard Rd. You should know to expect some trade offs when you choose a street like that.
AMA
4:59 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
I have been here for many years and no one, when picking a home ,would know what the future holds.
I am not being hostile but you sound like you have a chip on your shoulder . I don't oppose business but I do oppose the GetGo. It is not conducive to the area and Brainard is the main intersection in Highland Hts, so it doesn't say to much to people driving through. Not an impressive sight. That would be the last business to put on a main city corner.
If you want to do graffiti be my guest. I take it you don't live near by and you can talk so harshly. You would be the one to vote yes then complain later.
Sam Franklin
6:07 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
I live two blocks away. I walk or bike down Brainard virtually every day. That corner is an eyesore. When I have out of towners visit, they are all shocked by the state of that building and how long it's sat vacant.
Go talk to realtors. I looked at a house on Brainard. The vacant houses and that building are pushing people away. That's a fact. My question is what business do you want there? Marc's wasn't good enough. Apparently cafes and a bank aren't either. Do you have issues with the Shell across the street? How about the Mill Tavern and the Highlander? This is a commercial corner. It's not going to become a park.
AMA
6:20 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
I am not against the shops that will go there, but the GetGo is a bit much and over bearing for being smack dab in the middle of a neighborhood.
I welcome them. As far as the other businesses.....they have been here for many years, as I have. There is some litter involved. What the biggest problem is that the traffic will be overwhelming. I cant get out of my driveway now, so you can imagine all the people coming from Richmond Hts, Mayfield Village, and Mayfield Hts. Also, with a cafe serving alcohol, that will present more problems. I don't live on Brainard, but Bishop. We already have Bank Row in Highland Hts. I wouldn't have minded a Marc's but not opened 24 hours.
Sam Franklin
6:39 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
I don't think a GetGo is terrific. Trust me. But it doesn't back up to any houses. It's sitting on the corner. If houses were bordering it, it's another story. I can understand complaints about traffic. I honestly do. But again, this is and always has been a commercial corner. Catalano's drew plenty of traffic especially when it thrived back in the day.
The reason I brought up the other businesses is that they are decidedly uglier than anything that will be on this corner. The building and the area around the Highlander are deplorable. Perhaps some new development would encourage these people to invest in their properties too.
AMA
7:00 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
We can only hope that it will inspire a redo of the small shopping centers.
Have a nice evening, Sam.