City of Mentor

The meeting commenced with the organizational proceedings, including the administration of the oath of office for three newly elected council persons and the subsequent election and swearing-in of the Council President and Vice President. Following these organizational actions, the meeting transitioned into regular session. Key legislative items included the awarding of a bid contract to TK Excavating and Grading LLC for the Blossom Drive Storm Sewer Replacement Project, which involves replacing an undersized storm sewer and installing catch basins. Another item involved awarding a 4-year maintenance and support services agreement with Motorola Solutions for radio consoles. Additionally, a resolution was presented concerning an agreement with the Mentor Exempted Village School District and Uptown Mentor LLC regarding a real property tax exemption for the Uptown Mentor project.

The meeting began with the swearing-in of two renewing members, Richard Seedman and John Crocker. Following the roll call, the commission elected new officers, nominating and electing Richard Tedman as Chairman, Jeffrey Varga as Vice Chairman, and Richard Tedman as Secretary. The body then approved the minutes from the regular meeting held on December 4, 2025. Key discussions centered on public hearings for conditional use permits. The first approval granted a permit for an automobile repair shop specializing in residential and commercial window tinting, contingent upon six noted conditions, including ensuring all lights face downward. The second item, concerning a recreational facility, was tabled. The third item involved a request for a conditional use permit to allow sales and service of golf carts, trailers, and ATVs at a new location, which the applicant explained would operate under the name Menor Golf Carts and Trailers. The applicant detailed the expected sales breakdown and addressed commission concerns regarding the scope of products relative to prior approvals.

The meeting commenced with a roll call and the pledge of allegiance. The commission proceeded to address public hearings for conditional use permits. The first hearing involved an applicant seeking to establish a recreational facility at 7564 Tyler Boulevard, Unit A, which was approved subject to five conditions, including clarification of the permit holder's name. The second public hearing concerned a request to convert a former restaurant into an outpatient veterinary clinic providing after-hours urgent care at 9434 Menor Avenue. This was approved with four conditions, notably requiring a proper pet relief area. Significant discussion arose regarding the placement and maintenance of this relief area due to proximity to food service establishments. The third public hearing addressed an existing automobile repair shop at 5700 Heisley Road. The discussion centered on proposed administrative conditions related to access points, specifically recommending a right-in/right-out access configuration with one drive and potential use of a 'pork chop' divider to control traffic flow onto Heisley Road, which required further coordination with the engineering department. The fourth item, mentioned under old business, related to a conditional use permit for the sales and service of golf carts and trailers, ATVs, and yard equipment.

The meeting involved four scheduled public hearings. The first concerned a conditional use permit for outside dining and/or drinking for Giant Panda Market and Cafe at 777 Menor Avenue, which was approved with three conditions. The second hearing addressed a conditional use permit for a drive-thru facility at the same location, which also received approval with three conditions. The third public hearing was for a conditional use permit to allow outside dining and/or drinking for Rita's Italian Ice and Custard at 7652 Menor Avenue; this was approved with four conditions, including the addition of a decorative barrier near a pedestrian door adjacent to the drive-thru lane. The fourth item related to a drive-thru facility for Rita's Italian Ice and Custard, which was also approved with conditions. Under old business, two items—architectural review for a commercial building at 7850 Menor Avenue and a development plan amendment at Johnny Cake Ridge Road and Center Street—were postponed. New business included a final site plan and architectural review for a four-story, mixed-use building (restaurant/retail on the first floor, residential apartments above) at 8693, 8683, 8671, 8677, and 8679 Menor Avenue. The commission will recommend approval for the final site plan with a modification to condition number seven regarding final plan approval versus building permit issuance.

The key discussions centered on the architectural review for a proposed commercial building, the "House of Sport," at 7850 Menor Avenue, unit 100. The commission reviewed design modifications addressing prior concerns about the building's north elevation, focusing on breaking up the brick material with glazing and signage to enhance visibility from Menor Avenue. A specific condition for approval was added regarding the installation of bollards for pedestrian protection near the fenced outdoor recreational space, as this was not in the original site plan. Another significant agenda item involved amending the approved development plan for sub-area A at the southeast corner of Johnny Cake Ridge Road and Center Street. Proposers presented updates on expanding sub-area A to include the former Bolton estate driveway as green space and establishing acreage divisions for sub-areas A, B, C, and E to align with the agreed judgment entry maximums. Concerns were raised and addressed regarding the planned trail connectivity, ensuring trails would run along Johnny Cake and 615 and connect to the public preserve area. Further discussion involved the consistency and maintenance of private versus public roads within the development, particularly concerning snow removal and access control between sub-areas.