The intrigue about the community meetings is interesting, I guess, but the main question still is why this owner needs any kind of zoning relief if the lot has been continuously operated as a legal used car lot. 

 

This 2012 CUDC write-up of a design charrette for the area has an interesting tidbit that might shed some light:

 

Used car lots are a predominant land use, with concentrations

of car lots at the western end of the corridor. Some of these used

car lots are legally operating businesses, while others lack city

approval and are in violation of city codes.

 

http://www.cudc.kent.edu/projects_research/research/LaunchLorainfinallowres03%2019%2012.pdf

 

I'm wondering now if the operator was never a legally operating business, so can't claim compliance with the prior zoning code, hence: "proposes to establish a used car lot" in the appeal for relief KJP excerpted above.

 

I think the silver bullet that the CDC is trying to use is a lack of Certificate of Occupancy.  I think you have to get in compliance with zoning, building, etc. for a C of O.  Interesting that OCI and Cimperman seem to be bending over backwards to facilitate this process for the art gallery on 25th but are using a a tool to shut down the car dealership.  I wonder which provides more of a tax base.

^Ah, that make sense, thanks.  You definitely need to prove zoning (and building code) compliance for a new C/O.  Not sure if the lot owner is shady, unsophisticated, or was just asleep at the switch when the 2011 rezoning was proposed.

 

I can see how it looks ugly to crack down, but I don't think it's a nefarious plot- it's pretty much the stated policy of the city now (championed by the elected officials here) to pursue a specific development vision for this neighborhoods.  The 2011 rezoning couldn't have made that any more clear, plus the city's stance on discretionary approvals, like the proposed McDonalds.  And it's really not unfair to incumbent land users who are following the rules.  I guess a hard line on C/Os can seem harsh, but it's a nice bright line rule that also protects (compliant) landowners. And many of these land owners will probably see their land values appreciate quite a bit of the denser, pedestrian-oriented development pattern takes hold.

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/landmark/agenda/2014/06262014/index.php

 

Cleveland Landmarks Commission

AGENDA - June 26, 2014

 

Market Square Historic District

Culinary Arts Building 1849 West 24th Street

Addition and renovation for Market Garden Production Brewery

Phase I

 

 

 

 

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/landmark/agenda/2014/09252014/index.php

 

Phase 2 already?? They haven't built phase 1!

 

Cleveland Landmarks Commission

CITY HALL - ROOM 514 - 9:00 AM

AGENDA - September 25, 2014

 

Ohio City Historic District: Case 14-023

Market Garden Brewery  1849 West 24th Street

Renovation for Production Brewery Phase II

A little wider of the house shown here on Sept. 23......

 

NHS of Greater CLE ‏@NHSCleveland  23m

What success looks like from the outside, right? @joecimperman @ohiocitytweets @LandTrustCLE

 

The Lofts at WSCH ‏@WSCH_Lofts  1h

View from the third floor! Now pre-leasing... http://www.loftsatwsch.com  #OhioCity

 

Really glad the W 45th St house above was renovated. For a little while there i didnt know if it would be demoed or not.

 

i'll throw in some more OC pictures

 

 

Part of the ground level of the Lofts at WSCH

 

 

 

The Guernsey apartment bldg. very glad this is being renovated

 

 

 

 

Gorgeous!!

Popular Bakersfield Tacos to Plant its Flag in Ohio City

 

Bakersfield Tacos, Tequila, Whiskey, a small restaurant group launched by Cincinnati natives John and Joe Lanni, is on track to open in Ohio City in the first quarter of 2015. The brothers, along with co-founder Alex Blust, have signed a lease to take over the old Grind spot at the corner of W. 25th Street and Keene Court, just a block south of Lorain.

 

http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2014/09/15/popular-bakersfield-tacos-to-plant-its-flag-in-ohio-city

Very cool...I've been interested in the Guernsey ever since I first saw it in 2001...I know it was listed for sale in 2010 and sold for under $100K (I think.)

The current renovations are going to cost at least 5x that...which is great for that block.

^Ah, that make sense, thanks.  You definitely need to prove zoning (and building code) compliance for a new C/O.  Not sure if the lot owner is shady, unsophisticated, or was just asleep at the switch when the 2011 rezoning was proposed.

 

I can see how it looks ugly to crack down, but I don't think it's a nefarious plot- it's pretty much the stated policy of the city now (championed by the elected officials here) to pursue a specific development vision for this neighborhoods.  The 2011 rezoning couldn't have made that any more clear, plus the city's stance on discretionary approvals, like the proposed McDonalds.  And it's really not unfair to incumbent land users who are following the rules.  I guess a hard line on C/Os can seem harsh, but it's a nice bright line rule that also protects (compliant) landowners. And many of these land owners will probably see their land values appreciate quite a bit of the denser, pedestrian-oriented development pattern takes hold.

 

It looks ugly and underhanded because these things don't happen in a vacuum.  How would you feel about it if you were the business owner and, while the city and CDC are busting your balls with zoning and building code violations, there are projects all around you being done without proper approvals and permits that the are turned a blind eye despite multiple complaints.  And some of those complaints are even about the same issues that you are being cited for.  You could see how one would be angry and tensions in the neighborhood would rise. 

Has anyone seen site work at 2058/2060 W 26th St? I just happened to see it on a link provided in the Tremont thread: http://www.makeroffice.com ..... Two more lots down.  The 3110 Bridge property looks awesome too...hope it happens!

Cuyahoga Land Bank ‏@CuyaLandBank  13m13 minutes ago

Urban Community School's in the beginning stage of creating a learning garden for student & faculty use.  Stay tuned!

 

Looks like Kowalski Heat Treating Co. may be looking at expanding west along Detroit Avenue. Their already substantial business with an attractive, modern facade (IMHO) on the east side of West 38th (3509-3617 Detroit) could expand to a vacant lot and the closed Commercial Valve & Gauge Co. on the west side of 38th (3901 Detroit) after acquiring the property last year under the name SGK Development Co., which lists to the Bay Village home of Stephen G. Kowalski.

Recently noticed that a parking lot in front of Lutheran Hospital on W25th across from the apartment towers was excavated. Is there new construction going there or is it simply a case of the parking lot being resurfaced? It's either at W25th and Jay or W25th and Vestry.

One of these days, Lutheran Hospital is going to take all those surface parking spaces and sweep them up into a multi-level deck and the sell the balance of the vacated parking lot to developers. Real estate is just too hot in Ohio City to waste so much space. The CDC and city seem to agree as the zoning for the parking lot got an overlay (retail? Storefront? Other?) not long ago.

One of these days, Lutheran Hospital is going to take all those surface parking spaces and sweep them up into a multi-level deck and the sell the balance of the vacated parking lot to developers. Real estate is just too hot in Ohio City to waste so much space. The CDC and city seem to agree as the zoning for the parking lot got an overlay (retail? Storefront? Other?) not long ago.

 

Oooh, can we get Cleveland Clinic to that? >_>

So I have been hearing rumors of a parking garage with storefronts being constructed sooner rather than later on the market parking lot. To that point, I did see a team drilling core samples in that very lot last night...

So I have been hearing rumors of a parking garage with storefronts being constructed sooner rather than later on the market parking lot. To that point, I did see a team drilling core samples in that very lot last night...

 

Wow, that is one of my catalytic "I'll believe it when I see it" events.

 

Quick question, are you referring to THE market parking lot (rectangular lot between 24th Pl. & 24th St.) or the "other" market parking lot (triangular lot at abuts the RTA tracks)?

One of these days, Lutheran Hospital is going to take all those surface parking spaces and sweep them up into a multi-level deck and the sell the balance of the vacated parking lot to developers. Real estate is just too hot in Ohio City to waste so much space. The CDC and city seem to agree as the zoning for the parking lot got an overlay (retail? Storefront? Other?) not long ago.

 

Why doesn't CMHA do this - add retail, storefront with their Riverview Tower frontage along W. 25th?

^ That and Lutheran Hospital garages were covered in this old master plan for Ohio City.

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/cwp/other/Detroit_Ave_East.pdf

 

Like most master plans, some parts aren't very feasible, but I'd love to see some of that take shape.

So I have been hearing rumors of a parking garage with storefronts being constructed sooner rather than later on the market parking lot. To that point, I did see a team drilling core samples in that very lot last night...

 

Wow, that is one of my catalytic "I'll believe it when I see it" events.

 

Quick question, are you referring to THE market parking lot (rectangular lot between 24th Pl. & 24th St.) or the "other" market parking lot (triangular lot at abuts the RTA tracks)?

I am referring to the larger triangular lot next to the tracks. They were taking the samples along the 24th st fence though FWIW. Can we be so lucky as to get rid of two major parking lots in that area? I hope so!

Something has to happen regarding parking. This afternoon a coworker and I drove  around the West Side Market area including side streets etc.  for almost 30 minutes with zero success finding parking. It's awesome to see Ohio City so crowded and buzzing even on a weekday and normally I would take the rapid, but I can understand those who drive sometimes just give up and leave.

^I confess I did exactly last month.  I wanted to go to Nates on a Saturday about noon and could not find a spot anywhere.  I did not have a ton of time for lunch so just ended up in Lakewood.

Something has to happen regarding parking. This afternoon a coworker and I drove  around the West Side Market area including side streets etc.  for almost 30 minutes with zero success finding parking. It's awesome to see Ohio City so crowded and buzzing even on a weekday and normally I would take the rapid, but I can understand those who drive sometimes just give up and leave.

Whenever I met people from the burbs there, I always had them park on Columbus. It's a two minute walk and rarely is anyone parked there.

Something has to happen regarding parking. This afternoon a coworker and I drove  around the West Side Market area including side streets etc.  for almost 30 minutes with zero success finding parking. It's awesome to see Ohio City so crowded and buzzing even on a weekday and normally I would take the rapid, but I can understand those who drive sometimes just give up and leave.

Whenever I met people from the burbs there, I always had them park on Columbus. It's a two minute walk and rarely is anyone parked there.

 

The lot is a traffic monstrosity. For the record I've never been unable to find on-street parking somewhere.

The street directly behind Daves is my "spot" when none of the other side streets have parking. There's always a spot there. I haven't entered the circle of death (WSM lot) in years.

Something has to happen regarding parking. This afternoon a coworker and I drove  around the West Side Market area including side streets etc.  for almost 30 minutes with zero success finding parking. It's awesome to see Ohio City so crowded and buzzing even on a weekday and normally I would take the rapid, but I can understand those who drive sometimes just give up and leave.

This is what happens in a popular neighborhood.  It's a blessing and a cruise at the same time.  This is not unique to cleveland.  In most cities people need to build in 20 min "to find parking" when going out.

This is what happens in a popular neighborhood.  It's a blessing and a cruise at the same time.

 

Sometimes cruises can be blessings too, you know....  :-P

Cruises can be quite enjoyable.  It's curses that can be a problem....

 

I too find the parking difficult - particularly on a Saturday afternoon.  I am willing to walk some distance, however, and five or six blocks away from the WSF should have a lot of places.

 

What happened to the small residential project at Lorain and Fulton?

 

What happened to the big project planned for the area around the slopes above Columbus Road?  When it was first announced on a large scale several buildings up on Lorain were already being demolished (and said to be in connection with this project) but that's ALL I've seen so far.  Absolutely nothing.

 

 

^Are you talking about Brickman's Duck Island project and did you mean Lorain rather than Detroit?

What happened to the small residential project at Lorain and Fulton?

 

What happened to the big project planned for the area around the slopes above Columbus Road?  When it was first announced on a large scale several buildings up on Detroit were already being demolished (and said to be in connection with this project) but that's ALL I've seen so far.  Absolutely nothing.

 

It takes time to get zoning changed, assemble land, vacate streets, get soil conditions tested, get support from neighbors/block clubs/CDCs, secure financing and tweak designs based on market realities. Thankfully, projects are moving faster with the healthier economy.

 

Starts this weekend, parking and driving wont be an issue

 

http://westsideshuffle.com/d/

So this is a private company?

 

The website doesn't really make it clear what bars and at what times they plan to arrive.  I think its a cool idea and I'll probably use it.  It would be awesome if they develop an app that tracks the bus so you can see where it currently is and then could estimate when to expect it to arrive.

So this is a private company?

 

The website doesn't really make it clear what bars and at what times they plan to arrive.  I think its a cool idea and I'll probably use it.  It would be awesome if they develop an app that tracks the bus so you can see where it currently is and then could estimate when to expect it to arrive.

 

Right. Is it every day?

 

[edit - as per facebook it's fri/sat]

 

 

Check out this infill at the corner of Jay Ave and West 30th. I don't like the brick fence along the sidewalk in the backyard. Other than that, looks impressive.

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/landmark/agenda/2014/10232014/index.php

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/landmark/agenda/2014/10232014/image/Jay_Ave_01.jpg

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/landmark/agenda/2014/10232014/image/Jay_Ave_02.jpg

T

^ I don't think it's so bad. The only thing I really don't like is the big modern window on the side.

^Are you talking about Brickman's Duck Island project and did you mean Lorain rather than Detroit?

 

Yes, yes, - I changed it to "Lorain" Avenue.

Does anyone have a current photo of the house at that corner of Jay and & W. 30th?  I can only picture several smaller houses now that fill that space.  I can look on Google Maps....

Currently there is an empty lot on the corner of Jay and West 30th.  Glad to see a substantial home is going there after all the trouble the previous lot owners have had trying to build on it.

I really like the house, and think it will fit in well with the neighborhood.

 

At least it will not stand out like the 2 modern rehabs around the corner on Bridge Ave. The 2 of them were some of the first homes in OC to be fixed up. But they do not fit into the neighborhood IMO.

 

I grew up in OC, and still frequent there all the time. Heck's is still one of my favorite restaurants, and I have been a customer of theirs for a long time.

 

A couple ?'s though. I do not ever recall there being an empty lot on the SE corner of W. 30th & Jay, and am wondering if I just don't remember, or is the lot for 2921 Jay Ave. being split in order to have this new construction built.

 

Anyone know?

There's an empty lot, but it looks like it's been maintained as a sideyard.  It's been that way for as long as I remember.  But I didn't grow up in the neighborhood like you.  I'm guessing the person next door either got paid a handsome sum to give it up, or didn't actually own the lot.

Here's the google map streetview for those interested: http://tinyurl.com/mwado3z

 

The styling of the design isn't my cup of tea (a little too faux historic- sort of Victorian meets Charleston, SC), but the morphology of the house looks solid. Should be a nice addition to the neighborhood.

 

[Edited for typo]

Here's the google map streetview for those interested: http://tinyurl.com/mwado3z

 

The styling of the design isn't my cup of tea (a little too faux historic- sort of Victorian meets Charleston, DC), but the morphology of the house looks solid. Should be a nice addition to the neighborhood.

 

 

Faux historic?  I don't understand that.  Look at the neighborhood.  It's an historic neighborhood.  Most of the homes in that area were built within 30 years.  There is a victorian home directly across the street.

That's what the local design review instructs them to do. They feel that a new home should not try to look as if it were built 150 years ago--it can mimic it and have generally the same look as long as it has some features that show its era. I don't necessarily agree with that approach as the "modern" touches are generally ugly in my mind.

That's what the local design review instructs them to do. They feel that a new home should not try to look as if it were built 150 years ago--it can mimic it and have generally the same look as long as it has some features that show its era. I don't necessarily agree with that approach as the "modern" touches are generally ugly in my mind.

Interesting.  But having gone thru this in Harlem, I understand.

A couple ?'s though. I do not ever recall there being an empty lot on the SE corner of W. 30th & Jay, and am wondering if I just don't remember, or is the lot for 2921 Jay Ave. being split in order to have this new construction built.

 

Looking it up on the fiscal officer's website, there are 2 parcels, but until March of 2012 they always had the same owner (at least as far back as the online records show). I was going to link to some images on HistoricAerials.com, but I guess I'm too new to include external links in my posts? Anyway, if you go to that website and compare the aerials, there appears to be a house on the corner in 1962, but by 1970 it's gone, including the little sidewalk out to the street.

Re the new housing at W30th & Jay, i think that it will fit nicely....here is the lot

 

 

 

these are the 2 houses directly nxt door

 

 

 

and this is across the street

 

 

 

for comparison, here is recent infill housing in OC on Clinton ave

 

 

 

I believe too that the new home on W. 30th & Jay will fit in nicely, but am a little sad to see the loss of green space.

 

I watched the construction of the new home on Clinton this spring/summer, and thought it was a good fit for the neighborhood, but not exactly the same type of architecture of the homes still standing from 1800's, early 1900's.

 

Am not a fan of ultra modern designs for the OC area in general, but since most are being built in the Chatham Ave. area (W. 26-30th), and SIHS has torn down most of that area (even the house I grew up in on W. 29th between Lorain and Chatham), I can live with the fact OC is evolving for the better, and has been for the last approx. 30+ years.

 

Having a big heart for OC because of growing up there, seeing it deteriorate starting in the 70's, and now coming back stronger then in the 90's and 2000's, it would be great to see the Monroe street cemetery, and the Cemetery near it on Fulton Rd., receive some tender loving care from the city, or somehow.

I believe too that the new home on W. 30th & Jay will fit in nicely, but am a little sad to see the loss of green space.

 

I watched the construction of the new home on Clinton this spring/summer, and thought it was a good fit for the neighborhood, but not exactly the same type of architecture of the homes still standing from 1800's, early 1900's.

 

 

i read your post while i was in the Phoenix on Bridge

Yes the predominant house type in OC is the victorian cottage, Italianate and Queen Anne/Eastlake victorian but the curtain-walled masonry is not absent. OC is a mish mash of late 1800s/early 1900s housing tpyes

 

from the Phoenix upper landing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

it would be great to see the Monroe street cemetery, and the Cemetery near it on Fulton Rd., receive some tender loving care from the city, or somehow.

 

the gatehouse was restored this summer

Aside from Art Deco, the Federalist style may have been America's last great architectural contribution to the world. If they build more houses in Ohio City in that style, it will make me happy.