Future developments for 2216 warrensville Ctr. Rd.

First and foremost, let me say that had we not fought Waterway from the beginning, residents of Lansdale and Bushnell would have had a noisy (read website with excerpts from Councilman Consolo on noise levels of the activity) neighbor in their backyards. So, should Waterway be allowed in that site, at least their lives would be less disrupted. Is that such a bad thing? For you that don't live there does not make a difference, but to those residents it does.
Secondly, always considering the possibility that Waterway shall be allowed to build their car wash, should these residents get a cul de sac, would that be so bad? What's wrong with improving the living conditions of your fellow residents?
Thirdly, if Waterway will not be allowed there is simply because legally it is not fit to be there. There is a law (however old, nobody contested it before) that says that there are restrictions for a business to be developed in that strip, and Waterway's type of business fits in those restrictions, why should we close an eye? The fact that the operation is noisy is a proof in itself that the business is not a buffer, and that the operation interferes with the quality of life of their residents.
As for the business that will come there, operations such as Mc Donald's etc., are on the same level as Waterway, so they do not fit in the definition of businesses that can be used as buffers. They lower the quality of life of the residents of those streets.
There are other options out there that can be beneficial to everyone and if greed does not take over, they should be considered carefully: a cultural grocery store, that collects the history of a proud nation and serves a big portion of this community, is something that should be highly regarded. It could even be good advertising for the owners of the strip, should they be in need of any. So there are alternatives out there that can be considered and that can help the City with its tax revenues, the residents with their peace, and all of you with a solution that is not a threat for anybody.
If only, for once, the right choice was made, everything could be very simple.

Waterway Sumbits a new proposal here is why the City should say "NO"

Waterway is not letting go, and so shouldn't we. It isn't so much that we are opposed in principle to Waterway. It is a fine business, with good intentions. The thing is that the location is wrong.
It is true, right now we don't have other choices, the strip is run down, and does not bring much income. But is it a good enough reason to accept a bone thrown to us because we don't have alternatives "this instant"? Shouldn't it be better to find alternatives, to work with a strategy to improve the strip for the better, rather than realizing later that a big mistake (like the parking garage) has been made? The proposed gas station/car wash/convenience store will bring two full time positions that will increase the income COMPARED TO WHAT WE HAVE NOW!!! How about having something later that will bring more income compared to what Waterway will bring for decades? Bloggers have been asking for proposals, well we are not from the business world, but here are some:

1) How about seeking investors to build single floor senior assisted living units? We have plenty of seniors that love our community and would have the commodity of walking to the many stores that we have around... there would be managers, secretaries, nurses (more than 2) to bring income to the City...

2)How about finding investors to build a childrens' gym, we don't have one around, and that would have managers, secretaries, gym instructors (more than two)

3) An adult co-ed gym (Curves is for women only, there would not be competion there), Urban Active is at another level not everybody can afford it, trainers, managers, secretaries, you name it...

4) a Physical therapy/occupational therapy center, PT, OT, managers, secretaries....

5)A social services office with LISW for outpatient therapy, some LISW would love not to have to drive long distance to reach their offices, again look for the investors, (4 LISW, e.g, 1 manager, 2 secretaries etc, more than 2 managers)

We don't necesssarily need to put a pawn shop there to cut the losses, with a little of vision and entrepreneurship spirit, a lot could be done

Why take the bone?
The congestion on Warrensville and Lansdale, No matter of what the City and Waterway think, would be above their carrying capacity, why wait until it is too late, we repeat, why for once not do the right thing, before having to patch up something beyond repair?

The Waterway Proposal Encounters a Big Obstacle: Zoning, because of a major oversight from our Zoning members

 

One smart resident of University Heights, not a civil engineer, not a Council member, not a Zoning Committee member, brought up to the attention of UHNOGas that Waterway's proposal had a MAJOR ZONING ISSUE: the proposed gas station/car wash/convenience store had to use a strip of land zoned "Parking" for its commercial activities.

Three very capable lawyers, put their personal time into this matter and looked into it. They gathered info, and visual proof, that was brought to the attention of Mr. Consolo

Apparently, this point escaped the attention of Zoning members and the civil engineer....

It turns out, that Waterway cannot build their proposed project, even if they wanted to. It would require to rezone the city plans (several other areas fall into the same category). The BP gas station's owner(s) on Fairmount, applied for a permit that would allow them to build a car wash as well, and were told that zoning issues wouldn't allow it.

This proposal was denied consideration because of these issues. 

Wouldn't  be unfair if the zoning changes were to be allowed to Waterway, once that had been refused to BP? We ask...

It is a major oversight, that created useless stirred sentiments among residents of University Heights.

It weren't for the strong opposition of UHNOGas members, this oversight might have been overlooked.

Kudos to Mr. Frank Consolo that, informed of the Zoning problem, started an investigation concerning the issue, and obtained that the proposal was put to a halt.

 

THERE WILL BE NO FURTHER MEETINGS INVOLVING WATERWAY'S PROPOSAL UNTIL THE ZONING ISSUES WILL BE ADDRESSED.

As news develop we will keep you posted.

STRONG>

If this gas station is so important....

The people that plan on building a gas station/car wash/convenience store on 2216 Warrensville Center Road, University Heights, Ohio, didn't even show up at the special Council Meeting set up to make or break the gas station. The residents of University Heights that, instead, chose to show up, were greeted by a lawyer, that simply said that Waterway wanted a continuance. "To do what?" The gentleman was asked. "I don't know", was the reply, "they need 6 weeks to investigate". "Investigate what?" Was the other question, "I don't know" was the answer, "but they need six weeks". Now a business that cares about what happens in its community, would bother at least to show up. Unless it was a tactic to gain six more weeks to try and change people's (read councilpersons') minds. In the continuance letter they asked councilpersons to travel to their facilities, where they will be shown smiling, high school or college level students, all caucasian but one. These employees will be all (by pure and simple coincidence) be wearing clean and ironed uniforms, they will all be greeting customers in a completely "I didn't absolutely know that you people came here to inspect us", way. Waterway will dine councilpeople and talk to them about what good neighbors thay all are, and how everybody is happy to have them around (commercial areas like the ones they are in (including Bainbridge, OH) don't care). While missing, with outright lack of respect for Council and residents, the meeting where they were supposed to be. The continuance would have been granted just the same. Everybody in Council is trying to be fair. Why then this uncalled act of pure and simple rudeness?
We are open to answers.

Waterway masqueraded as Bluestone calls the Author of the Blog "Nuts"

It's been a while since Waterway infiltrated this blog under the name Bluestone4181. We, of course, recognized them very early. We were appalled by the fact that they didn't have the guts to sign themselves as Waterway, but that would have been what honest, caring, good neighbors would do. We learned that Bluestone, sorry Waterway, does not play "clean", forgive us the pun. They feel that now they have the upperhand because, at the moment, they have the permit. What they do not know, is that it's not over yet. They are already acting cocky and showing that they have a right to gloat. The thing that shows them for who they really are though, is that, under the assumed name of bluestone thay called the Author of this blog "nuts" (read it under the post "Waterway tries to sell a fairytale").
We personally think that it is a low blow, undignified of a company that claims to be about people. We are sorry for you Waterway, but the more you keep this up, the more you show your "littleness" the more sustainers you will call into our cause.
Now go ahead and have a blast with your comments. We are listening.

THANKS UHNOGas members and supporters!!

Update on the Zoning Meeting ALMOST held on February 4, 2008.

 

We arrived to the meeting. We sat down, and we waited, the room got full. We think at least 100 people, but could have been easily more, were there. People arrived slowly. By 6:00pm though, the Zoning Committee members, and the Councilpersons were almost all there. The almost makes the difference. Channel 3 news, and News Channel 5 were there as well, and taping.

Mr. Goldberg (VP of Waterway Gas and Wash Company) started explaining again his project. He said that some changes have been made. One of them was that by re-drawing the plan, they don't need anymore the 10 feet variance. I think that they squeezed the gas station, car wash, and convenience store a little more.

Who do you think may notice?

Anyway, he was making the point that this small business is consented by the ordinance... (I have to look it up, be patient, tomorrow, when I am fresh, I'll put it in) that states that a gas station and car accessories sales are authorized by the zoning and even a car wash (I didn't see that part on the page of the ordinance I got, I'll check again). Anyway, we were all listening when Councilwoman Frankie Goldberg walks in and says that people, at least 25, are outside and would like to come in. At this point, the debate starts: the meeting is already in session, but the people are outside. Do we go to a Synagogue? It's too short notice. The fire marshalls absolutely cannot let anymore people in the building. Do we leave these people outside? For Mr. Zucker, this would be the right solution, everybody else says that they may have something to say and, being a public meeting, we should give them the possibility of hearing what is being said and evntually to reply. The matter is put to a vote. Except for the Mayor and Mr. Zucker, everybody else votes in favor of the rescheduling. The dates will be worked out with Mr.Goldman, the zoning committee Members, and the Councilpersons. The possible locations may be:John Carroll University, or Wiley Middle School's Auditorium.

At the end of the short meeting everybody went outside, and there we informed the people waiting of what went on. The media was out there as soon as they heard that more than 25 people were outside. We'll follow the developments watching the news, and we will keep you posted as soon as we learn more.

You can pat your backs sustainers, we are proud of all of you. We just need to keep it up, and keep showing up, showing that we care.

 

Waterway Gas and Wash Company Tries to sell a fairy tale

January 29, 2008

Waterway Gas and Wash Company invited the Residents of University Heights to attend a meeting to explain how their gas station/car wash/convenience store will operate. They wanted to reassure us residents that it will be an operation we can live with.
The hours of operation will be (if approved by our Council members): Seven (7) days a week, from hopefully (for them) 7:00 am until 10:00 pm for the gas station, and from 7:00 am until 6:00-7:00 pm for the car wash. The convenience store (that may or may not sell lottery tickets, no alcohol for sure) will be open for the hours of operation of the gas stations. So traffic on our streets and Warensville Center Road will only go from 7:00 am until 10:00 pm. So we can rest the few hours the place is closed, right? Wrong: two or three times a week they will refill tha pump tanks, and that will be done at night, but the trucks are guaranteed to be noiseless... Have you ever seen or heard of a noiseless truck? When asked if they could predict that there will be no traffic on the two residential streets the answer was: "No, Madam, we cannot tell you that, there will be traffic". Let's talk about the $58,000 in tax revenues, it was just a number put up there, they said. There could be more or less, they don't know, they haven't done the projections... so our Council is buying something even without knowing what can come from it? Who buys that? Another issue: I still don't know if it is going to be a profitable business or not. Apparently, when it comes down to traffic congestion, the business will not be that lucrative, if we talk about the advantages for the City, suddenly, the business will be profitable. I asked several times which way was it, and they kept shifting the answers. Anyway, the two managers moving from St. Louis to come over here, will buy my house and live there, as if I buy that!

THIS IS A LETTER WROTE TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN PRESS, PUBLISHED ON JANUARY 24, 2008:

Car wash could bring ruin to neighborhood

Thursday, January 24, 2008 The Sun Press

To the editor:

We've been residents of University Heights for many years and live near the proposed site for the Waterway Gas and Wash Co.

We are completely opposed to the construction and operation of this type of business. We've come to love University Heights for its small community feel. A gas station/car wash does not fit what our mayor has called the "City of beautiful homes with a small town atmosphere." It is very difficult to have a beautiful home with a gas station butting up against it.

There are four other gas stations within 1.5 miles of the site as well as another car wash within a block. There are also other stores selling candy, cards and whatever else.

No matter how attractive the building is, it will still be a gas station/car wash. It will be a noisy eyesore for those who live around it and create additional traffic in an already congested area. This is a heavily traveled area for children attending Wiley Middle School.

Loitering may also be an issue since this will also be a convenience store. Property values will inevitably decline as no one will want to live in such an area. We certainly would not have bought our house had there been this type of business here then.

With gas stations comes the risk of fires, explosions and soil contamination, another safety issue because homes are in such close proximity. An ordinance passed in 1956 did not permit services accompanied by objectionable noise, fumes, odor, or so-called minute wash operations. If this doesn't qualify, we don't know what does.

We realize that in order for the city to thrive, we must welcome commerce, but to what extent are they willing to turn a blind eye to that which the community deems inappropriate and objectionable?

Brian and Sherisse Johnston

Albert and Annie Rawlinson

University Heights

January 24, 2008 Meeting Results Update

At today's workgroup meeting it became exceedingly clear that if our voices of opposition are to be heard by the City Council of University Heights, it will have to be the collective voices of the majority of University Heights residents. Apparently, it is not enough to be a concerned, frustrated, and fearful resident of Lansdale or Bushnell roads. No, our views on our street by itself does not matter. I bet our votes are going to matter when the time comes. It is now more important than ever that we work together whether we live on these streets or not. This proposed monstrosity of a car wash will affect all our lives, all our property values and it will have adverse implications for all our safety, quality of life and sense of pride in our community. We should all be concerned about what this infiltration in our neighborhood will mean for the quality of life and the perception of our city, property values and community life 5, 10, 15, 20 years from now. Our opposition against this carwash, gas station structure is as much about our quality of life today as it is about our future. We are not a first ring suburb, not yet, but if this structure goes up, we will be well on the way to having to contend with a host of issues that come with having rental properties and negligent property owners. None of which this city will be able to deal with effectively. Please inform your neighbor, tell a friend, tell your colleague at work who lives in UH. You will be surprised how many UH residents still do not know about these plans! Send out emails, post your comments on this blog. Let the city council know that you matter, that we matter. Tell them that the taxes the city will get per year from this structure will not compensate for the short and long term losses they will suffer financially. Two weeks ago, this city council most likely believed approving the gasstation plans were a slam dunk! Our neighborhood activism and outrage made them think otherwise. After all, we vote in this city. We pay taxes in this city. We raise families in this city. We care about this city. We have a say in what happens in this city!Maghboeba

January 24, 2008 6:26 PM

Results of the residents' meeting held On January 24 at 4:00 pm

The good news of this meeting is that the residents of Lansdale and Bushnell Rds. are developing a good friendship and a strong sense of Community.
Now the bad news: Waterway will, supposedly, bring annually $58,000 in tax revenues that's a lot, right? According to our Mayor and some Council members it is. It is more than all of the residents of Lansdale and Bushnell Rds, can bring in, if they still live there that is.
The problem is that with all the noise, the traffic, the gas emissions, and the sense of being unsafe,the residents of these streets will have to leave. It will not be worth it to stay there.
Now we ask you: who is going to buy our headaches? Nobody will.
The only action we can take will be to rent out our properites to anyone that will want to rent it, we cannot afford to be choosy at this point. Would you?
The property values of the houses on those blocks will sink, because it won't be our priority to cut the grass, keep up with the breaking fixtures, the sinking garages, the curb appeal, the chipping paint on the outside. The property value of our houses will sink even further at this point. And if our houses' values sink, what will happen to YOUR HOUSE?
What will happen to University Heights? The value of the houses around Bushnell and Lansdale Rds. will start to sink, and then it will be the turn of Silsby, Washington, Traymore, Glendon, Loyola, Lalemant, Miramar, and this will have a ripple effect on all of the other streets in University Heights up to JCU ... and over. Of course, you can sleep well tonight, it is not going to happen tomorrow...but it will only be a matter of time.
We love University Heights, and we would not be happy if we have to go, but do we really have any other choice?
Is this what we want for University Heights, we ask you?
If you care about YOUR PROPERTY VALUE, and your home, the same way we do for ours, then contact us, you have our e-mail addresses and phone numbers, and we will tell you how you can help.
Write to the Mayor, Vice Mayor, Councilmen, and Councilwomen, remind them that this is their chance of being worthy of your vote, present and future. Tell them that this is a matter that does not concern only Lansdale and Bushnell Rds., but it is a decision that will affect University Heights in its entirety.
Remind the Mayor that this is her last term, and that she can be remembered as the most effective Mayor University Heights ever had, or as "Rothschild, she who sank University Heights".
Please, write to them.
We are collecting petitions, we need the signature of all the registered voting residents of University Heights to be considered.
Thank you

What this blog is about

We are a group of tax paying, law abiding citizens, that are at risk of losing the quality of life they chose for their families and themselves.

At various moments in history, we purchased our properties at Lansdale Rd and Bushnell Rd, believing that we had acquired a safe and quiet environment for our children and ourselves. We deliberately chose streets with low traffic, low pollution, and low noise level. Furtehrmore, we were looking for an environment that was safe from a legal point of view. Streets where we were not to worry about the safety of our children, the possibility that there could be criminal attempts to steal a few bucks for low level thieves trying to acquire drugs, or an easy booze. Streets that were relatively litter free.

All of this may now be at risk... If you want to know why, please keep reading

A company named Waterway Gas and Wash Company wants to transform a strip of retail shops into a gas station and other... the problem being that houses are practically attached to this strip.

We as residents are concerned that this structure will increase the local traffic on two streets raising several kinds of concerns.

We are collecting signatures for a petition AGAINST this project.

Will you help us?

What we ask you to do is the following: Add a comment to this blog showing your support. If possible, sign it with your name.

We hope that by showing the big number of people against this project, we may be in the position of being listened to.

Thank you for your help.