The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Residents revolt against Mercy building project
Residents came out in droves to express their opposition to a proposed medical office building.
Lorain Ward 8 residents came out in droves to a town hall meeting Sept. 28 at the Fox Creek Golf and Racquet Club, 5445 Beavercrest Drive in Lorain, to express their opposition to a proposed 30,000-squarefoot medical office building on Oak Point Road.
The meeting was hosted by Ward 8 Councilman Joshua Thornsberry.
The parcel of land currently zoned as residential would require the city to pass a zoning change from R-1A residential to either B-2 General Business or B1-A Business, drawing the ire of residents in attendance.
Since being addressed at the Sept. 6 Lorain Planning Commission meeting, residents have expressed concerns about traffic congestion and the implications for property values.
Deerfield Creek resident Fred Barck, a licensed real estate broker and appraiser for more than 25 years, expressed his concerns about declining property values with development of this site.
“We don’t need to change our zoning,” Barck said. “There is plenty of commercial business zoning in the
city of Lorain.
“I sincerely believe that you as a councilman take into consideration what
your constituents want and not trying to shove something down the throats of your constituents.
“I can’t support you knowing you aren’t paying attention to what your constituents are asking for. I don’t see any reason why we have to change the zoning and devalue the property in that area.”
In an update to the project, Thornsberry said signs banning trucks will return to ease some resident concerns in addition to ongoing negotiations which seeks to limit the height of the building to 25 feet.
“I have a firm commitment from the safety-service director (Dan Given) and the mayor (Chase Ritenauer) that those signs are going back up on Oak Point Road,” he said. “So, we have a commitment now from the administration and a commitment from the Lorain Police Department to actually enforce it.”
The proposal would bring a new Mercy Health office building with up to 75 jobs and up to $6 million in new payroll which, according to Thornsberry, could provide up to $160,000 in new tax revenue for the city.
“As far as this Mercy project goes, my feelings on it are if we don’t put it in this site, that all they’re going to do is go right around the corner and go next to the Mercy Fitness Center on Cooper Foster,” he said. “The problem with that is it’s in Amherst, and the $6.5 million in payroll will be going to Amherst. The 75 jobs will be going to Amherst.”
The project would consist of five different medical office buildings under one roof.
Thornsberry said Mercy presently has commitments for three of the five suites.
He also said he had concerns about zoning, but felt going through with the project was in the best interests of Ward 8, and the city of Lorain in embracing economic development and new ideas.
“I have friends who are upset with me about my position on this project,” Thornsberry said. “But the point I always try to make to them is that I have to represent the whole ward.”
The benefits of west side development with $10 million in projects is slated to come to the area over the next year, he said.
Most of the fears from residents about various projects which now form part of the area’s fabric have never been realized, Thornsberry said.