Picketers take issue with Bolton rezoning

City rep says some confusion circulating on Issue 1

A rezoning issue on the March 17 ballot has elicited public protests from some Mentor residents.

A rezoning issue on the March 17 ballot has elicited public protests from some Mentor residents.

A group of picketers demonstrated March 8 along Route 615 between Route 20 and Route 84, near the property proposed for a zoning change that would allow a mixed-use development.

The development itself still would require final approval by city officials, should voters approve Issue 1 in the primary election.

“I am part of a neighborhood group of concerned citizens who want to raise awareness about the realities of Mentor’s Issue 1,” said Paula Bielfelt of Hart Street.

She said members of the group plan to repeat the demonstration March 15.

“I get that that’s private land, I get that they want to develop it, and I’m for the residential,” she said. “We don’t want it to be rezoned to commercial and retail.”

While the city doesn’t take a formal stand on such issues, members of the administration have indicated that the development could be a boon to the community, providing diverse housing options, among other things.

Mentor Council President Bruce Landeg endorses the project.

“The residents of Mentor will be well served by this significant planned community that includes the preservation of 70 acres of ancient forest,” he said.

There has been some confusion as to what the issue is about, Mentor Community Relations Administrator Ante Logarusic said.

“If Issue 1 passes, it means that the rezoning plan as submitted has been accepted,” he said. “If it fails, it means that this version has been rejected. The property owners will likely assess their options at that point. It does not mean that the property will not be developed. It does not mean that the greenspace will or will not be part of any future plan.”

Issue 1 would permit rezoning about 186 acres at 8021 Center St. from C-1, Conservation and R-4, Single-family Residential districts to the PMUD, Planned Mixed-Use Development Overlay district.

There zoning is tied to the proposedredevelopment of the Bolton family estate. Charles P. Bolton, who still lives on the land with wife Julie, has said that the impetus for development stemmed from Cleveland Clinic’s hospital proposal across the street.

He noted that the protestors were “well-behaved citizens exercising their civil rights.”

“While we respect their opinions, we feel we are creating a neighborhood which will be much nicer than what they seem to expect,” he said. “Most of the trees which are currently on the property will remain. More trees will be planted lining the streets where there are now fields. People will be able to walk from their house to our woods on a path with their dog or to a few stores or restaurants.

“We think the tasteful housing choices we plan to offer close to the amenities of a small town center and appropriate commercial buildings responds well to the needs of the community while preserving much of what we love about the property.”

Some neighbors raised concerns at public hearings on the project, about increased traffic and other issues. City officials say the plan provides an opportunity to address existing traffic problems.

Twenty-one conditions were made part of the rezoning approval by the city, including the requirement that public access be provided to the entire conservation area, including 35-acres within Mentor and 34-acres within Kirtland Hills.

SUBMITTED The proposed redevelopment of the Bolton family estate.