The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Mentor Innovation and Technology Park subdivision proposed
Plans are progressing to develop more than 87 acres of industrially zoned land in Mentor.
The city Planning Commission recently approved preliminary plans for Mentor Innovation and Technology Park, a subdivision to include a minimum of eight sublots at the east end of Mercantile Drive.
Rick and Greg Sommers of Chardon-based Sommers Real Estate Group and George Davis of ProBuilt Homes in Mentor jointly purchased the vacant land off of Heisley Road at auction in October for $445,000. It is the largest, contiguous
industrially zoned piece left in the city.
“We have had significant interest in the project and are currently talking to several prospective buyers that would be a great addition to the city of Mentor,” said Greg Sommers, who declined to disclose details due to confidentiality agreements.
Developers are working on the final plans, which they hope to submit to the city within the next month or so.
Under the preliminary plan, Mercantile would be extended 955 feet to a new intersection with Hamilton Drive and continue another 600 feet into a cul de sac. Hamilton would be extended 1,170 feet to the new intersection.
The city engineer said sidewalks conforming to city standards must be built along the front of the parcels and curb ramps be added in walkways and driveways.
At the July 11 commission meeting, Rick Sommers took issue with the sidewalk mandate.
“It just does not make sense to put sidewalks in an industrial park,” he said.
Planning Director Kathy Mitchell responded that the requirement is part of subdivision regulations.
“We can address this at the final,” Sommers said.
Commission member Geoffrey Varga noted the varied shapes and sizes of the proposed lots.
Sommers said the trend in industrial development is to cater to a company’s
The land is being offered in tracts ranging from 3 to 50 acres.
needs.
He revealed that a deal was pending with a 20acre user. The land is being offered in tracts ranging from 3 to 50 acres.
The developers will sell the land outright to users or will build a leased facility for a company.
They envision a modern, multipurpose industrial development with a focus on biomedical research and production companies.
The project is located within a federally designated flood hazard area. A special permit is required from the city.
“Any new construction and substantial improvement of any structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevation 1.5 feet above the 100year base flood elevation,” said the staff report to the commission.
Road construction and utility extension are expected to begin later this year.
There are limited options in Mentor for large multi-use industrial development, Greg Sommers said.
“We are excited to see everything come to fruition,” he said.