Compromise should end Bradley Bay disputes
By Jeff Gallatin
Bay Village
Published May 23, 2007

City and Bradley Bay officials have reached an agreement on a compromise with neighbors of the health-care facility about buffering which would end the disagreements of the last several years, parties involved indicated.

City Council Monday sent the buffering proposals to the Municipal Planning Commission in the form of amendments to the landscape plan, which would provide additional coverage between existing portions of the health-care facility and nearby neighbors. Bay Village Law Director Gary Ebert said if the Planning Commission approves the additions to the plan, then the problems between the neighbors who have opposed the multi-million dollar expansion should be ending.

“It certainly appears that they could be done based on this,” Ebert said. “This agreement would provide additional greenery and coverage for areas between Bradley Bay and the neighbors. That’s been the major contention that we’ve been trying to resolve in recent weeks.”

If the Planning Commission approves the changes, then there would be no need for the matter to go back to City Council, Ebert said.

He said John O’Neill, whose family owns and operates Bradley Bay, sent one letter May 14 indicating that additional trees will be planted at the northeast corner of the facility property to provide some buffering.

“He’s also agreed to provide additional coverage with more trees and greenery, which should take care of all the affected neighbors,” Ebert said.

Ebert noted that one of the lawsuits involving the case has already been ruled on and settled in court with the other filed by Bradley Bay officials expected to be dropped shortly, Ebert said.

“We’re working with them on that,” Ebert said.

Ward 4 Councilman Mike Young has also continued his effort to work with the parties involved and met with the neighbors Monday morning, Ebert said.

Ebert said he did not expect any problem getting the changes approved by the planning commission.

Alex Dade, one of the leaders of the group of neighbors which has opposed the expansion plan the last few years, said the additional buffering appears to satisfy the needs of the different groups.

“We appreciate the work the city officials have put forth in meeting with all of us to try and get this resolved,” Dade said. “It was important for those neighbors by the existing facility to get additional coverage between their homes and Bradley Bay. This agreement appears to deal with that.”

He acknowledged that the discussions between Bradley Bay officials and the neighbors have been contentious at times, but added that it showed the importance of the matter to all parties involved.

“You’re talking about people’s homes and where they live, as well as a major business for the O’Neills,” Dade said. “People are going to take those kind of issues very seriously.”

O’Neill said his writing the letter and the agreeing to additional trees and greenery was a logical move for facility officials.

“We’re just trying to move things along,” O’Neill said. “This has been a long process for all the parties involved. We’re glad to try and keep it moving.”

Designs for the expansion have been changed several times during the process in an effort to work with the neighbors.

“That’s just part of trying to get all of this done right,” O’Neill said.

He said it is still a long way to go before the expansion is done. He also said Bradley Bay officials will continue to work with others to improve the situation and Bay Village.

“We’ve been a part of the community for a long time,” he said.