Zoning change for Mercy should be OK’d

The Lorain Planning Commission has recommended approval for Mercy Health’s new medical office building and City Council should consider following its lead. On Oct. 4, the Planning Commission voted 4-1 to approve the proposed zoning change.

There are many good arguments for the city to support Mercy’s expansion on Lorain’s west side.

Two of the top overwhelming reasons are jobs and an increased income tax base.

Mercy asked to change zoning to B-1 Business from R-1A Residential to build a new 30,000-square-foot medical office center on 8.19 acres of land just west of the intersection of Oak Point Road and South Mayflower Drive.

City Council must hold a public hearing on the request before changing zoning for the land.

Officials have not set an exact date for the public hearing and Council vote.

By the way, in the vote, Planning Commission member Henry Patterson opposed the request. Planning Commission members Mayor Chase Ritenauer, Safety-Service Director Dan Given, Ken Kramer and Jeff Zellers voted in favor of Mercy’s petition.

Mercy could have located the new facility in a number of cities, but its leaders chose Lorain.

That says a lot about its commitment to Lorain and vicinity. It wants to be in Lorain. It has a 125-year history in Lorain.

Mercy will add staff — about 70 jobs — and Lorainites could vie for the jobs. The system also dispenses quality health care.

During the Planning Commission meeting, deliberations lasted more than 90 minutes as people stepped to the microphone to comment on the project.

Some nearby residents said they fear the building will become a nuisance in their neighborhood.

Others voiced concerns about spot zoning, traffic congestion and the residential character of the area.

Of course, others said they support Mercy’s efforts.

Kim Mulder, president of STAR Design-Build Contractors, offered details about the hospital project.

Mulder said he can’t think of a business in Lorain that has been around to provide the day-to-day needs of the community more than Mercy.

Gail Shinsky, a Normandy Drive resident, said she feels sorry for Oak Point Road residents, but commercial development will bring city income tax.

Another good point Shinsky makes is that Mercy is in a healthy competition with other health systems, which is good for the community.

Oak Point Road resident Joe Falbo also argued the zoning change is not spot zoning when the health building would be a stone’s throw from the Lowes, Target and other stores in the nearby Deerfield Town Center north of Oak Point Road and state Route 2.

At the same time, the city must consider the concerns of the residents who live in the area.

Myron Naymik, a resident of Oak Point Estates, questioned why Mercy needed so many health facilities on Lorain’s west side.

Naymik indicated he wants to preserve the neighborhood feel where he lives.

Lynne Christner of Oak Tree Drive suggested Mercy could build at the interchanges of Route 2 and state Route 60 or Baumhart Road.

Christner also questioned what stores or businesses would go into future outbuildings planned on the site.

And Jacqueline Graff of Oak Point Road is concerned that if zoning isn’t respected and maintained, it could create uncertainty for current and future homeowners and future taxpayers.

Graff said residents rely on city government to protect and respect neighborhood zoning and to maintain home values.

All of the homeowners have valid points about why they do and don’t want to see Mercy expand into their neighborhood.

They want growth and jobs to come to Lorain, but not at the sacrifice of stable neighborhoods and spot zoning.

In another twist, attorney Gerald Phillips said he was retained on behalf of residents opposing the zoning change.

Phillips and Patterson discussed the court cases dealing with the legality of spot zoning, or classifying a parcel differently from surrounding similar land.

Now, Phillips has penned a seven-page legal memo urging the planning board to reject Mercy’s petition.

Phillips said it’s not based on whether or not Mercy is a good tenant, but on the integrity of the zoning code. He called this particular proposed zoning change a clear example of spot zoning.

Despite the opposition from the residents and Phillips, Mercy’s request is good for Lorain.

Council should allow Mercy to continue its good work.