Council seeks to balance new hotel, residents’ worries
By Jeff Gallatin
North Olmsted
Published Sept. 17, 2008

Project and city officials seeking support for the multi-million dollar Hampton Inn at the southwest corner of Country Club Boulevard and Columbia Road may be able to build it up with some concerned residents with slightly altered landscaping and a higher mound or barrier.

City Council set another meeting of its Building, Zoning and Development committee to last night before the regular council meeting. City officials said they would consider the concerns raised while trying to also meet the needs of the project development.

Ward 4 Councilman Larry Orlowski, who represents the area where the multi-million dollar project would go, along with his predecessor in the council seat, Dean McKay, both raised concerns at the Sept. 9 BZD meeting about the amount of screening between nearby residents and the hotel and any other development which goes into the area.

“We need to get all we can now because I don’t believe they would put any additional screening in later if they decide to put it an office building on the property later,” said Orlowski.

“They’ve got to understand that people and homes will be living near this,” said McKay, who said he was asked to attend the meeting. “Development like this affects how they live their lives at their homes.”

He said the city should also not rely heavily on the opinions of so-called experts about the screening, saying they’ve been wrong on other projects.

Orlowski said the city needs to make sure it addresses the concerns in some manner.

“There’s an awful lot of things which can affect the residents and we need to make sure they’re taken care of,” he said.

BZD Committee Chairman Paul Barker said the committee would consider all the different input as well as details presented by Orlowski about possible types of and number of trees in the screening area and how high the dirt barrier mound should be. He also said information from Planning Director Kim Wenger, the city forester and project developers will factor into the decision.

“Certainly we’re considering the concerns and the information presented,” said Barker. “We’re aware it affects different people as well as the plans presented by the developers.”

Greg Baka and Jeff Kerr represented the hotel developers and said they would continue to try and work with residents and the city to find the best possible project. They said they would work on some additional alterations if that would make the project better and easier for the nearby residents.

The duo said the proposed hotel would be one of its basic 96-room hotels designed for short stays. There are no current plans to develop an office building on the remaining area.

Planning Director Kim Wenger said altering the landscaping plan as developed through several meetings would probably not meet the recommendations of the forester.

Wenger said the project is an attractive one for the city.

“This property is one of the last remaining undeveloped parcels in this area of the city,” Wenger said. “The proximity to the airport and traveler amenities makes North Olmsted a very attractive location for hotel development. The proposed hotel will be a high quality project that will blend well with the other uses currently along Country Club Boulevard.”

BZD Committee member Michael Gareau Jr. said he’s pleased developers believe the city is worth locating in.

“It’s exciting and shows good things happen in the city,” Gareau said.