Covered by Documenters Jenna Thomas (notes) and Stesia Swain (live-tweet thread)
Little fuss in Little Italy:
Plans for a 14-unit apartment building in Little Italy moved forward. The Cleveland Board of Zoning appeals granted the property owner – 2183 Cornell Road LLC – requests to vary from the zoning code. One request concerned the size of the project. It will cover 15,444 square feet. That’s more than double the maximum allowed in this area. Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin, whose Ward 6 includes Little Italy, said he has heard few complaints from residents.
Short-handed:
Early in the meeting, board officials informed applicants about their right to request postponements and said the board is short-handed. Following a retirement and a job change, the board had just three members until Arleesha Wilson joined in mid-July. If only three members are present, applicants need unanimous approval or else the request is considered denied. If four members are present, a tie vote also results in denial, explained Board Secretary Liz Kukla. The board should have a fifth member by late October, according to Board Chair Alanna Faith.
New dimensions:
The board held off on making a decision about a proposed lot split in Detroit-Shoreway. Sanctus Capital LLC wants to split one parcel into two. It wants to update an existing two-story single-family home and construct a new one. Some neighbors expressed opposition, saying the area is too small for two homes. City Planner Adam Davenport said the city supports the design. The board wants the project team to return with more detailed dimensions in their plans.
