Council rejects 2nd storage unit rezoning

For the second time since October, Vermilion City Council has rejected a second proposal for the rezoning of a plot of land on Liberty Avenue for a storage unit facility project.

Unanimously voted down by members of council a handful of months ago, the most recent revised ordinance was struck down 4-3 during a Feb. 1 Vermilion City Council meeting following a public hearing on the issue.

Councilwoman At-Large Monica Stark, Ward 2 Councilman Frank Loucka and Ward 3 Councilman Steve Holovacs voted yes on the rezoning proposal.

The 6.3 acres is a small portion of the plot of land Todd Sommer owns on Liberty Avenue, which the ordinance proposed be rezoned from R-3 residential to B-3 highway commercial for the storage unit project.

The first 250 feet of property frontage facing the road already is being voted B-3 highway commercial.

That rezoning plot takes up a small portion of the several dozens of acres Sommer owns, with plans to donate a large portion further behind the proposed project parcel to the Lorain County Metro Parks.

The second proposed ordinance, much like the first one, was met with overwhelming rejection from local residents, with almost 20 letters submitted before Jan. 29 disapproving the rezoning and storage unit project.

Attorney Howard Lane, who represents Sommer, was given a period before public comment during the hearing to explain the rezoning in relation to the project.

He said there was a proposed 220-foot buffer from the project line to the residents on the east side of the property, citing Sommer and his family’s decades of experience in construction and storage projects.

With residents having formerly and recently aired concerns regarding the devaluation of property, noise and light pollution and overall unappealing concept of a storage unit in their backyards, Lane said the project would be nothing short of “aesthetically pleasing.”

“These are not going to be run down, or displeasing to the eye,” Lane said of the units. “Mr. Sommer and his family would not permit this to happen.”

He also added that the new facility could bring in somewhere from $30,000 to $50,000 of tax revenue to the city, as well as a market study finding a need for storage in the area, despite two other storage unit facilities being located in a five mile radius.

Over a dozen residents spoke during the hearing, with many noting concerns of possible crime upticks and increased traffic to the area as well.

Vermilion resident Marcy Mackay said she was opposed to the rezoning and said she was concerned about an increase in noise to the neighborhood.

“I do find it hard to believe that we need more storage units in Vermilion, especially with so many in the area,” she said during the hearing. “I don’t think it adds much to town, that we’re trying to beautify and build up and bring in business.”

Some residents also cited a lack of an environmental

Stark said due to the safety regulations that are in place at storage facilities, and having used local storage units herself, she does not see the high level of traffic or crime uptick concerns that have been voiced by residents.

impact study or economic impact report, and questioned how flooding would be tackled on the wetland.

Vermilion resident Drew Werley said he also was concerned for local residents and the value of their homes.

“I just don’t think it’s right to change over six acres of land in between residential land,” he said.

Lane said if they were to move forward on the project, Sommer would comply with stormwater regulations and other mandates for construction.

Additionally, all tenants would be required to store all belongings inside the units, with no boats permitted to be stored on the grounds.

Gates along the facility would be locked and only accessible to tenants, according to Lane.

Stark said due to the safety regulations that are in place at storage facilities, and having used local storage units herself, she does not see the high level of traffic or crime uptick concerns that have been voiced by residents.

She put in a public records request with the Vermilion Police Department for all crimes on the two nearby storage unit properties since 2010, and only received a handful back.

“These really are not crime-ridden types of businesses,” Stark said.

Additionally, she said Sommer could still develop the first 250 feet of frontage on Liberty Avenue, with 20 to 25 different businesses eligible on the current commercially-zoned land.

Some of those businesses include bars and gas stations, Stark said.

Mayor Jim Forthofer also said he sees that Sommer could still go through with developing the commercially zoned land.

While he said he understands both Sommer’s ability to develop his property however he chooses, as well as the affect it may have on residents.

“Even if this is voted no, Mr. Sommer has the frontage property that he could continue to develop,” Forthofer said.