The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Zoning changes prompt little talk
Valor Home among requests
Four proposed zoning changes for land in Lorain prompted little public comment in four public hearings Aug. 23.
Lorain City Council convened the hearings for an expansion for Valor Home, a new business in the former Morning Journal building and new houses at 3956 Globe Ave.
Council took no formal actions, but could consider the requests when their regular meetings resume Sept. 7.
None of the rezoning applicants attended, but some Council members had questions for city Planning and Zoning Administrator Drew Crawford.
The Lorain City Planning Commission has recommended the changes.
The hearings lasted a matter of minutes.
The projects are:
• Rezoning 3956 Globe Ave. from I-1 Industrial to R-3 Residential.
Hall plans to put residences on the site, not a junkyard, said Ward 5 Councilwoman JoAnne Moon.
The Planning Commission recommended the zoning change on the condition that it had to be single- or two-family homes, not apartments, Crawford said.
That condition is included in a July 9 letter Mayor Jack Bradley sent to Council regarding the Planning Commission decision.
Residential not wanted there
Neighbor Robert Hancock said none of the nearby residents want the zoning change for residential land in an industrial area.
Hancock said he built his building next to the 3956 Globe Ave. land because it is industrial.
Adding residences will bring people living there, tearing up things and destroying property, when Lorain police don’t come out to the area now, Hancock said.
He called the land an eyesore, “so we don’t want it.”
Valor Home plans four units for female veterans at 205 W. 21st St., and eight additional units for male veterans at 2100 Reid Ave., project architect James Yorks of Amherst has said.
Question on low income housing
Ward 1 Councilwoman Beth Henley asked if the land would have low-income housing.
Lorain’s zoning code does not specify “affordable” or “low-income” housing, so it could happen or not, Crawford said.
• Rezoning 205 W. 21st St. and adjoining rear land from R-2 Residential to R-3 Residential and rezoning 2100 Reid Ave., from B-2 Business to R-3 Residential.
Council held two public hearings for two parcels, both part of expansion plans for Family & Community Services.
That Ravenna-based agency operates the Valor Home, which has transitional housing for veterans in need.
There are residences nearby, so the rezoning was appropriate in this case, Crawford said.
Councilman-at-Large Mitch Fallis said generally he does not like rezoning, but he liked that zoning change request because there are residential uses on adjoining and adjacent properties.
Valor Home plans four units for female veterans at 205 W. 21st St., and eight additional units for male veterans at 2100 Reid Ave., project architect James Yorks of Amherst has said.
The expansion is a continuation of the mission for Valor Home’s transitional housing for men at 221 W. 21st St. and for women on G Street, said Steve Smith, a Vietnam veteran and Valor Home supporter.
Smith spoke in the July 7 Planning Commission meeting.
• Rezoning 1657 Broadway from I-2 Industrial to I-1 Industrial.
Vermilion Shores LLC applied for the zoning change.
Owner Chris Russo asked for the zoning change to allow indoor and outdoor storage at the northern brick building, which is the former Morning Journal news, advertising and business offices.
The southern building, the former press room, will be a warehouse and can sleeving facility for his brewery operations.