Retail project at interchange gets green light

A major retail redevelopment project proposed in Mentor is a big step closer to reality.

Visconsi Companies Ltd. received unanimous final site plan approval from Mentor Planning Commission for its commercial development on about 20 acres southwest of Routes 2 and 615.

Initially, the Pepper Pike-based business plans a 55,000-square-foot grocery store with a drivethru pharmacy at the north end of the development. The layout also indicates six outlots and an area designated as Phase II.

Remaining steps include getting City Council approval of the vacation of Kelly Drive, off of

Route 615; and demolition and building permits.

“I think they will get a separate demolition permit and start tearing down the existing buildings later this year,” Mentor Planning Administrator Aric Spence said.

Four existing businesses will remain on Route 615: El Rodeo Mexican restaurant, Mentor Family Restaurant, Enterprise RentA-Car and Jim’s Discount Car & Truck. A daycare on Tyler Boulevard will be preserved as well.

On June 15, Visconsi Vice President of Development Bradley Goldberg presented the commission revised renderings of the grocery store, street views from Tyler and Route 615, and a new layout design of the entire development.

Changes include adding landscape fencing and brick piers along Tyler and 615, landscaping along the main entryways and within the main parking area, a bike rack and a sidewalk from El Rodeo along the westerly property lines to allow “walkable” access to the parking area.

In addition, design guidelines for future tenants were crafted by Visconsi’s team.

“It was a concern that the city had to make sure there was a cohesiveness and some type of theme throughout the center, so we went and established and drafted design guidelines, and each outlot user or building will be obligated to follow these design guidelines, when they go to design and build their building,” Goldberg said.

The design is intended to “blend well with the surrounding urban fabric, be accessible and convenient, and convey a sense of contemporary sophistication and cohesiveness through the proper selection of materials and colors in a suitably arranged architectural composition,” according to the document.

Other proposed uses include a 16-pump gas station/convenience store, 48,000 square feet of retail space, a 7,000-squarefoot auto parts store, a 3,000-square-foot fast food restaurant with drive-thru, another 6,000 square feet of retail space and — eventually — a 35,000-square-foot fitness center.

The developer has yet to publicly reveal the grocery store, but Giant Eagle Market District is among the stores rumored to be interested the site.

The commission, which recently held a rare special session to discuss the project, seemed more pleased with the plan than the one granted preliminary approval in May.

In other action, the panel approved:

• An outdoor dining permit for Noosa Bistro in the old Brown Derby location at 9500 Diamond Centre Drive

• A minor subdivision to create a parcel for a future restaurant in Dillard’s parking lot at Great Lakes Mall

• Reimaging of the retail center at Creekside Commons

• A conditional-use permit for Vipasanna salon in the Matchworks building, 8500 Station St.

The commission also dismissed without prejudice — at the request of the applicant — plans for a 100-foot radio tower at 9565 Headlands Road.