GetGo Issue Will Not Be on Ballot This Year

Developer Lance Osborne submitted an official request Tuesday for City Council to place an issue on the ballot to make changes to local business zoning.

The changes would allow for a GetGo gas station, convenience store and car wash, as well as additional retail space at Wilson Mills and Brainard roads, site of the former Catalano's grocery store.

Osborne had circulated initiative petitions to allow gas stations in local business zoning as well as to increase the maximum space allowed from 10,000 square feet to 25,000 square feet. Council rejected the petitions last week, but the city's charter states that if the petitioner files a written request at the next council meeting, council has to forward the petitions to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.

"I'm requesting the spring of 2012 primary," Osborne told council members.

There had been disagreement about whether the petitions were submitted in time for inclusion in this fall's election, but Osborne's request means that is no longer a problem.

However, there is still that matter of whether the petitions address more than one subject. Osborne contends that the square footage and permitted uses are connected, while Law Director Timothy Paluf said they should be on the ballot as two separate issues.

Whether that means the city can reject the petitions as flawed and not forward them to the board of elections is uncertain. Paluf said he will continue to research the matter. Osborne's request for the spring ballot also means that there is no rush to reach a decision.

"I'll take a look at it and make a determination," Paluf said.