Board of Zoning Appeals

14750 Triskett Rd - Owner Keith Sulzer proposes to erect a 20’x 20’ one story gable pole barn for storage.

This is the agenda: https://planning.clevelandohio.gov/bza/agenda/2022/crr12-12-2022.pdf

14750 Triskett Rd - Owner Keith Sulzer’s proposal was approved.

15736 Lorain Ave (Aka 15722 Lorain Avenue)- Annette Pakis, proposes to establish use as assembly/meeting/party venue.

In October there was a use violation at the property. There was a similar request before and was denied despite extensive testimony.

Ms. Brown, who is leasing the building, of LeSweets says she’d like to have business meeting, retirement parties, engagement parties, and milestone events at her space. Proposed hours of operation are 11am-10pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday. No alcohol will be allowed.

Steve Lorenz speaks out against the variance because Westpark has many party centers, there’s no written parking plan, owner will rely on street parking. He firmly states, “We [neighbors] don’t trust the owner to follow the rules as she has not done so before.”

Susie Coreno also speaks out against because stating several reasons: zoning variances are permanent, it’s a high traffic area, it’s hard to make a right onto the street, working families are home during those hours, her driveway has been blocked several times.

There was a neighborhood meeting where this issue has been discussed. The party center which has already been operating without a variance has been open until 1am or 2am on multiple occurrences according to nearby residents.

Councilman, Charles Slife and neighborhood residents have come out in droves to speak out against this variance.

Ms. Brown signed a 5 year lease of the space being told by the landlord that this small event space. She invested in rehabbing the interior of the space.

Shannan Leonard of City Planning speaks out FOR the variance citing several variance uses for several similar spaces.

Ms. Shannan Leonard was told to “stick to the facts” when she pointed out that Ms. Brown looks different than the members of the community who is speaking out against her business and that she’s “never been wanted” in this community.

Rosemary Mudry head of Westpark Group speaks passionately about how the onus of this problem should be on the landlord.

More info about Ms. Mudry: https://westparktimes.com/2020/01/23/meet-rosemary-mudry-new-head-of-west-park-group-enjoys-a-challenge/

“I think in Cleveland we are never going to correct this problem of owners entering into illegal leases, putting tenets in this terrible situation and every time we do it it reinforces the idea that in Cleveland you should just do it and ask for forgiveness later.” - R. Mudry

The board spoke to the owner, Dan Packis, about the property use in spring or early summer of 2021. The owner knew that the use was local retail and not event use before the lease was signed.

Property owner, Dan Packis, says he’s owned the property for 25 years and said that this is the first time this has ever been an issue. “I will plead ignorance. I know that ignorance doesn’t make it right. “

Owner, Mr. Packis continues saying a small electronics shop that sometimes held concerts in the store was the previous occupant and it was never a problem before.

Ms. Brown, Le Sweets’ tenant, says she’s submitted several documents to the city and that she was stopped when she tried to apply for occupancy multiple times. This all happened before the violations occurred.

Ms. Brown says she signed her lease on May 23id 2021, going over her business plan with Mr. Ben Packis the building’s other owner beforehand.

Clarification: Le Sweets is the name of Ms. Brown’s business, she is the tenant of 15736 Lorain Avenue. (Aka 15722 Lorain Avenue).

Mr. Dan Packis, owner says, “We as owners know that we have limited parking, we have problems getting tenants because of this. All the business here have problems parking.”

Shannan Leonard, city planning, says that Ms. Brown would need 21 to 23 additional parking spaces for this space to work.

Neighbor Susie Coreno says that the neighborhood’s issue is not with Ms. Brown personally or her clientele, but the fact that the use variance is permanent and will chance their neighborhood. She suggests that Ms. Brown works with the councilman to find a better space.

Board Member, Alanna Faith, proposes to deny the variance due to strong community testimony against the variance appeal. The motion to deny passes in a vote.

15736 Lorain Ave (Aka 15722 Lorain Avenue)- establish use as assembly/meeting/party venue. The variance is DENIED.

11107 Buckeye Road - DMW Developers LLC, proposes to establish daycare use in a C2 Residence Office District.

Jaishawna Bates of 11107 Buckeye Rd, wants to start a home daycare where she will be able to care for 12 children. The daycare would run from 6am to 6pm depending on community need… they may stay open until 10pm.

There is scheduled drop off to reduce traffic. The daycare would serve children 6 weeks old to 5 years old. This owner has 2 other business.

Councilman Griffin and city planning speak out in support as it’s very near a commercial area.

11107 Buckeye Road area variance to establish a daycare use is GRANTED.

3478 W. 105 Street. – Kararja LLC., owner, proposes to change use from service station to mechanic shop (Repair Garage) and used auto sales in General Retail District.

This garage will do minor repairs including oil change, tires, etc.

The proposed garage will be open 9am -5pm, Monday-Saturday.

Chad Dasher speaks for the neighborhood that community is in support of the Garage. He says that the required 10’ buffer area is overkill as he will put in a nice fence and bushes. He also notes that it borders a body shop and not a home.

Maurice Ruelens of city planning recommends approval.

Councilman is in support of this variance.

3478 W. 105 Street. – Variance is APPROVED.

3893 W.23 Street. – Conrad Becker, proposes to change of use from two family to four family in Two-Family Residential District.

The owner is requesting an area and use variance. The owner thought that it was a 4 family property and already has 4 units.

According to an architect representing the owner there is a 5 unit building across the street with no onsite a parking either.

City planning represents approval.

3893 W.23 Street. – Conrad Becker, proposes to change of use from two family to four family in Two-Family Residential District. Area and use variance are APPROVED.

9503 Detroit Ave. & 9511 Detroit Ave. – Buza Properties, proposes to install linear feet of 6’ high aluminum fence and guardrail in actual front yard in
Semi-Industry.

Paul Buza, owner, wants to limit access to the parking lot in order to increase security. The fence would be the same type of fence that a similar building down the street.

9503 Detroit Ave. & 9511 Detroit Ave.– Variance is APPROVED with condition that city planning will get a drawing or photo of what is proposed.

1242 W. 65th St Jason Nehez front yard fence and front deck. Postponed in August and September.

Owners talk about how fence is necessary to keep dogs and children safe. Contractor did not get necessary paperwork before building.

Two contractors left this project midway. They spent over $10,000 on the fence. City planning recommends approval if fence is lowered and if fence can be modified to 50% opacity.

1242 W. 65th St – Variance is APPROVED.

4506 Lorain Ave – North Coast Shuffleboard Club LLC proposes expansion of office & salon use to include tattoo studio in Local Retail Business District and Pedestrian Retail Overlay District.

Robert Morton is a tattoo artist who does tattoos by appointment. He wants to do a a private shop with two artist work. If variance will be granted the shop will be open from 12pm to 8pm.

Maurice Ruelens from City Planning and recommends approval, saying that public perception of tattoo studios has changed over the last 40-50 yrs and that the city is considering allowing small tattoo parlors in all regular retail spaces.

4506 Lorain Ave – Variance is APPROVED.

The Board of Zoning Appeals goes into executive session and the public portion of the meeting is over!

To look back at the meeting follow this link!

Have questions? Think we got something wrong? Send any inquiries on the meeting or these tweets to @cledocumenters. Or email us at cledocumenters@gmail.com