Housing proposed at old school

Rezoning will be required for potential project at former Rice Elementary building

The latest housing development proposed in Mentor is on the site of a former school. Greg Sommers of Chardonbased Sommers Real Estate Group is working with the city administration on plans for about 8 acres where the defunct Rice Elementary building stands, at 7640 Lake Shore Blvd.

He seeks to rezone the property from the existing R-2 Single Family, requiring 15,000-squarefoot minimum lots, to RVG Village Green. The school would be razed to make way for the project.

The city Planning Commission recently provided feedback on an informal rezoning proposal, including a concept RVG plan indicating 20 sublots and 3.8 acres of open space. R-2 zoning also would allow for 20 sublots on the site.

“This site has some challenges,” Sommers said. “It’s not that wide, and we feel that RVG is a good application here with the site limitations.”

He noted that many of the lots

in the adjoining neighborhoods on Brooks Boulevard and Chase Drive don’t conform with R-2 because of

the same challenges. Those developments predate the zoning code.

While the administration and some commission members voiced support for RVG under recommended conditions, member Brian Cook argued for an R-2 plan with fewer homes on it.

He and residents also

questioned the impact on structures in neighboring backyards that are encroaching on the school property.

“We’re concerned the fence line is going to be taken down, our structures, sheds, the pools, the garages are going to be moved,” said a Chase resident.

“There are many people here that financially can’t afford it.” Sommers assured that he would communicate and work with neighbors. He said RVG would be more likely to enable accommodation of the structures.

“We want it to work for everybody,” he said. “We’re not going to come in and strong-arm. That’s not how we operate.”

Another resident expressed traffic concerns on Lakeshore.

The city is requiring that the developer conduct a trip-generation study for the development.

Additional modifications recommended by the administration include connecting the subdivision’s proposed new roadway with Rice Drive, a tree management plan, a perpetual maintenance plan for all common open space, a general market analysis on the type of housing to be developed, a headlight mitigation

plan, and adjustments to the right-of-way and building setbacks to allow for adequate vehicle parking in the driveways as well as more useable areas behind the proposed units within the sublots.

Sommers indicated that few, if any trees should need to be cleared based on his preliminary concept.

No vote is taken on an informal requests. He hopes to submit a formal one within 30 to 60 days.

The school was closed at the end of the 2014-15 school year because of declining enrollment.

“Rice Elementary School will always be a rich part of Mentor Schools history,” said Mentor Schools Community Relations Director Kristen Kirby. “Our decision to close the building and put it up for sale in response to declining student enrollment demonstrates our continued commitment to responsible fiscal management for our community.”