Latest Menards plan gets partial approval

The Planning Commission unanimously passed the site plan, but tabled architectural aspects of the project.

Menards’ final plan was mostly approved by Mentor officials this week.

The city Planning Commission unanimously passed the site plan, but tabled architectural aspects of the project, long proposed at 9600 Diamond Centre Drive.

“Very little has changed since the last approval,” said Menards Real Estate Associate Tom O’Neil. “Because the commencement of construction didn’t occur as soon as we originally anticipated, our approvals have lapsed. … The site plan is largely consistent with what we previously approved.”

The home improvement and building materials supply store received final site plan support in April 2015. About a year later, developers got a six-month extension.

The most notable change since then is in exterior building materials. Precast concrete panels have been replaced with tan split-face block in two shades, to provide more visual interest on the 185,000-square-foot building.

However, some commission members thought the material samples provided at the Jan. 18 meeting didn’t match the color rendering that was submitted.

Geoffrey Varga and John Perkovich indicated that there wasn’t enough contrast in the colors and asked to see an example of an existing Menards with the same materials.

“If these are the kind of materials they use all the time, they should be able to get some kind of image they can find that shows what it actually looks like in place,” Varga said.

Commission legal counsel Joseph Szeman said the panel could pass the site plan and reserve the color scheme vote for the next meeting.

“I assume that will allow them to keep the project on schedule,” he said.

When O’Neil didn’t respond, Commission Chairman William Snow asked him, “Yes or no?”

“I don’t really have a choice, do I?” O’Neil said.

The project includes roadwork to improve traffic capacity along Diamond Centre. Menards will extend the right-turn lane about 500 feet to Emerald Court. That work is expected to move forward this year. Another turn lane on Diamond Centre at Heisley Road is in the city’s capital plan for next year.

Details about the timeline for the store’s construction were unavailable, Menards Spokesman Jeff Abbott said.

Land was cleared for the business in 2012, but project representatives postponed it, citing economic conditions and federal government restrictions. In December 2014, the Commission approved the preliminary site plan. In February 2015, City Council approved a development agreement with Menards, including the provision that the city install a traffic signal at Diamond Centre once the level of service at the intersection is warranted. The economy and political climate led to their request for an extension in spring 2016.

Along with home-improvement items, most Menards carry appliances, pet products, lawn and garden supplies, and some groceries, the website says. The Eau Claire, Wisconsin-based chain has more than 300 home improvement stores across the country. The nearest location is in Warren.

The store will employ about 120 people.