Council OKs changes at Artstown Plaza

Avon Lake Council approved recommendations from the city’s planning commission consisting of upgrades and changes to the Artstown Plaza, on March 26.

Council approved a new special use permit for music practice and education following a Feb. 6 recommendation from Planning Commission. The ordinance will allow the second floor of the Artstown Plaza’s main structure to be converted into 39 individual units to be used for music rehearsal space.

The second floor above the old movie theater was formerly used as hotel rooms. Units will contain their own bathrooms and can be utilized for private study or as studio space where people will have the opportunity to offer music lessons.

On Feb. 21, Ward 2 Councilwoman Jennifer Fenderbosch said Artstown Plaza owners, the Patton family, will be contracting with a local company to make the spaces available to use and sublet.

A public hearing for the proposed project on Feb. 6 brought out several residents interested in utilizing the area for the arts which Fenderbosch said carried some historical precedent.

“You can remember that a number of years ago there were people who were playing their instruments upstairs. Along with photographers there were artists upstairs and it isn’t a new concept for this particular space,” she said. “So if you no longer want your wife playing the violin at home and you want to practice you could be practicing here.”

Council also approved changes to the city’s planning and zoning code to allow the city to remove the #38 Lakeshore Electric Railway baggage car for the purpose of taking it on tour and displaying it for different groups. Parked in the Artstown Plaza parking lot, the baggage car was granted historic preservation status by the city on Dec. 17, 2017.

The baggage car is the first object granted historic status by the city. The Pattons have owned the railcar for a number of years and have restored it to better than new condition. It is displayed in the former location of Beach Park Station, better known as Stop #65 in the early 20th century.

In other business, Council also conducted interviews following the regular session for the open seat on Council in Ward 3 vacated by the resignation of longtime councilman Larry Meiners earlier in March. Council will appoint one of three candidates who submitted applications to fill the remainder of Meiners’ term which expires in at the end of 2019.