Board of Zoning Appeals & City Planning Commission

Board of Zoning Appeals & City Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday, March 5, 2024 7 P.M. City Hall Council Chambers Members Present: David E. Weiss, Mayor Sean P. Malone, Council John J. Boyle III, Member Joanna Ganning, Member Jason Russell, Member Others Present: Joyce G. Braverman, Director of Planning William M. Gruber, Director of Law Daniel Feinstein, Senior Planner The meeting was called to order by Mayor David Weiss at 7:00 p.m. * * * * Approval of the February 6, 2024 Meeting Minutes It was moved by Mr. Boyle and seconded by Dr. Ganning to approve the minutes. Roll Call: Ayes: Weiss, Malone, Boyle, Ganning Nays: None Motion Carried * * * * #2243. BOOM’S PIZZA – 3427 TUTTLE ROAD: A Public Hearing was held on the request of Jonathan Bennett, Spice Hospitality, Boom’s Pizza, 3427 Tuttle Road, to the Board of Zoning Appeals for variances to the Van Aken District Local Sign District regulations and the CM Commercial Mixed Use zoning district design standards. The applicant proposes that the main entry door face south, not west toward Tuttle Road. The CM Commercial Mixed Use zoning district design standards require a primary entrance to face and be accessible from the main street. The applicant proposes three (3) primary signs including two window signs that are 36 square feet in size. The Van Aken District Local Sign District allows only one primary sign and no primary window signs. The Boom’s Pizza window graphic facing Tuttle Road and the lightning bolt illuminated sign mounted on an interior vestibule wall are both considered primary window signs. Mr. Feinstein showed pictures of the site. He stated this is a request for variances to the CM Commercial Mixed-Use zoning district requirements and to the signage requirements. The applicant proposes the entry to Boom’s Pizza restaurant face the south, not west to Tuttle Road. Code requires the main entry to face the street. There are three (3) primary signs proposed. The Van Aken District Local Sign District regulations allow only one (1) primary sign. Two of those primary signs are window signs that are each 36 square feet in size. The Van Aken District sign regulations only allow a 4 square foot window sign. The Architectural Board of Review has reviewed and approved the design, after design modifications, at their February 4, 2024 meeting. Staff supports the request. AJ Suever, HSB Architects, explained how pedestrian traffic moves through the district. The majority of the pedestrian traffic is from the southern parking lot, the parking garage exit and the Market Hall. She described the primary signage of two window signs and a projecting sign at the building corner. The Tuttle Road window with “Boom’s Pizza” is a vinyl graphic, and the lightning bolt is an illuminated outline on an interior wall next to the south entry door. They are requesting a variance for the additional primary signs and the sizing of the window signs, which are 36 square feet when only a 4 square foot window sign is allowed. The window signs are sized like primary, not secondary, signs. Mr. Boyle asked if the tenant has the approval of the owner. Ms. Suever said both the owner of the business and the property owner have approved the sign package. There is a letter of approval in the meeting submittals from the property owner. * * * * Mr. Russell joined the meeting. * * * * Dr. Ganning asked about the large size of the Boom’s Pizza vinyl graphic window sign. Ms. Suever said behind that glass is a cooler. The graphic on the window has a clear background and is designed to both identify the Tuttle Road side of the business and distract the eye away from the cooler inside. Ms. Braverman said staff worked with the applicant to make sure they would not have film obstructing the windows. Staff feels strongly that film over the window is inappropriate. This window sign design has been revised as an alternative. Mayor Weiss said there is all see-through glass behind the sign. Ms. Suever said yes, shades may also be needed. The tenant has maintained the amount of clear glass in the façade. Mr. Malone asked how many signs are allowed for buildings on corners. This space presents like a kind of corner. Mr. Feinstein said two (2) primary signs and four (4) secondary signs are permitted for a corner space. Board of Zoning Appeals & City Planning Commission 03/05/2024 Minutes Page 5780 Mayor Weiss opened the Public Hearing. No comments were received in regard to this application. Mr. Russell said he would like to disclose that when he worked at the Van Aken District, he proposed these design guidelines. He is concerned about the south facing entry. He worries about the west facing signage being visible to the rest of the district. Mr. Feinstein said the Architectural Board of Review supported the entry location after an explanation of the observed movement patterns in the Van Aken District. Mr. Boyle said he always comes from the south. The south door was his preferred entry to the Michael’s Genuine restaurant formerly in this space. Ms. Suever explained the yellow lightning bolt sign, the extended new canopy and the yellow stripe around the canopy were all suggested changes during the Architectural Board design review to enhance the entry door identification. Mr. Russell said the area near the south entry needs to establish an identity. He suggested coordination with the owner to spruce up that leftover space. Ms. Suever said there has already been discussion of planters at the entry. Susan Frankel, representing the owner, said the owner is in favor of adding something like that to the area. Mayor Weiss said this proposal has less signage on the west elevation overall compared to what would be a primary sign. If the southern entry location is not successful then they will come back to redesign the space. Mr. Russell asked about the Boom’s signage in the window, on the west façade, instead of above the door. Ms. Suever explained they did not want to identify the west-facing door as an entry. Jonathan Bennett, Spice Hospitality, said they want to ensure there is dentification from the Tuttle Road and Walker Road views and to obscure the window with mechanical equipment behind it. It was moved by Mr. Malone and seconded by Mr. Boyle to approve the request based on the findings of fact and conclusions of law as set forth in the Action Sheet. Roll Call: Ayes: Weiss, Malone, Boyle, Ganning, Russell Nays: None Motion Carried * * * * Board of Zoning Appeals & City Planning Commission 03/05/2024 Minutes Page 5781  CITY PLANNING COMMISSION #2244. SHAKER HEIGHTS SCHOOL BOARD – 20600 SHAKER BOULEVARD: A Public Hearing was held on the request of Michael Roeder, EMOD LLC, representing the Shaker Heights School Board, 20600 Shaker Boulevard, to the Board of Zoning Appeals and City Planning Commission for a conditional use permit for temporary classroom structures and a variance to the front yard setback. The applicant proposes two temporary classroom structures located in the Fayette Road front yard of the Middle School site. The temporary classrooms are proposed to serve as middle school classroom space during the renovation of the Woodbury School building over a period of two years. A conditional use permit is required for temporary classrooms. The two buildings are set back 38 feet and 23 feet 8 inches from the Fayette Road sidewalk. Code requires a 50-foot front yard setback. New burning bush shrubs are proposed to soften the building bases and the view from Fayette Road. Mr. Feinstein showed pictures of the site. He stated this is a request for a conditional use permit for temporary classroom structures and a variance to the front yard setback. The applicant proposes temporary classrooms at the Shaker Heights Middle School for two years. The classrooms are needed to accommodate 6th graders at the Middle School due to the Woodbury School building renovation. A temporary classroom requires a conditional use permit. The buildings are located in the Fayette Road front yard, 38 feet and 23 feet 8 inches from the sidewalk. Code requires a 50-foot front yard setback. Staff supports the request with the condition that native shrub and tree species replace the proposed landscaping. Mike Roeder, EMOD, said he is joined by Dr. Felicia Evans and David Boyer from the school district, and the architect Glen Ramage. During the renovation of Woodbury School 5th graders will be integrated into the elementary schools and 6th graders will be at the Middle School for a period of 2 years. This is just for the duration of the Woodbury School renovations when 10 classrooms are needed. This location is near the classroom and educational areas inside the building, not the auditorium. They tried to locate the units near the tennis courts, but it does not meet the Fire Department safety regulations. They will replace trees and those trees are located to stay in those locations after the project. Shrubs will need to be removed with the classrooms. The recommendation for native species is acceptable. Canopies over the walkways are proposed, but their construction has to be designed to meet building code. Dr. Ganning asked about security of students coming and going from the temporary classrooms. Mr. Roeder said they will have key cards and cameras as security. All doors will be locked. Dr. Evans said staffing will include security that will escort students to and from the main building. Mr. Boyer said the building entrances already have available doors which will be improved with security with this project. Mr. Malone asked about the Fire Department concern for locations near the tennis court. Mr. Boyer said there are no hydrants or stand pipes near enough, and access by fire engines is limited. Board of Zoning Appeals & City Planning Commission 03/05/2024 Minutes Page 5782 Mr. Malone said once Woodbury is renovated will the Middles School have enough space for elementary students while those buildings are renovated. Mr. Boyer said grades 6, 7 and 8 need more space than the Middles School has, but two elementaries will fit into the existing building. Dr. Evans said they are currently researching what types of classes will be in the temporary classrooms. They will figure out best educational and movement patterns for students. Mayor Weiss opened the Public Hearing. Mr. Feinstein read the letters that had been submitted for this request. Nathan Smith commented that native and a diversity of species should be incorporated in the landscape of the site. William Claspy was concerned with the location and duration of the temporary classrooms and the view from Byron Road. William Claspy, 20849 Byron Road, said he understands the placement considerations. He asked about using the parking area by the pool. It is level, paved and accessible. He is glad to hear it is only for 2 years. The shrubs face Fayette Road and not along Byron Road toward his house. Mr. Roeder said one tree is dead and a replacement tree is proposed near his house. They could add more shrubs toward Byron Road. Dr. Evans said the parking and driveway by the pool is where buses load and unload. That area is not near the educational classrooms in the school. Mr. Boyer said the main parking lot is even further from the building and the educational classroom areas. Mr. Claspy said parking pick-up and drop-off along Fayette Road should be studied. He would ask that they consider no parking and that the stop sign be monitored by his house. Mayor Weiss said he will ask the safety forces to monitor the area. Nick Fletcher, 3111 Ludlow Road, applauded replacing the trees with native species with some protection for the trees that can remain. It is important for the city and schools to use the land in a way to be good stewards moving forward through these construction projects. Mr. Boyle asked for clarification of the timeframe. Is it two academic years? Mr. Roeder said 2 years construction. The time frame for completion is August of 2026. Ms. Braverman said an online question asked about the renovation of the High School. Mr. Boyer said the High School is not planned or funded yet. That will be a future project. Dr. Evans said the district has developed a good website for all general questions about the district’s renovation projects. Board of Zoning Appeals & City Planning Commission 03/05/2024 Minutes Page 5783 Mr. Boyle said he could support the request with the completion date of August 31, 2026. It was moved by Mr. Boyle and seconded by Mr. Russell to approve the request for a period ending on August 31, 2026 based on the findings of fact and conclusions of law as set forth in the Action Sheet with the condition that native shrub and tree species replace the proposed landscaping. Roll Call: Ayes: Weiss, Malone, Boyle, Ganning, Russell Nays: None Motion Carried * * * * WORK SESSION 1. Zoning Map and Text Amendments. Discussion held. * * * * There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. The next meeting will be April 2, 2024. _________________________________ _________________________________ David E. Weiss, Chair Daniel Feinstein, Secretary Board of Zoning Appeals Board of Zoning Appeals City Planning Commission City Planning Commission Board of Zoning Appeals & City Planning Commission 03/05/2024 Minutes Page 5784