University Heights zoning subcommittee and residents spar over Warrensville Center Road heights, setbacks and buffers

University HeightsCouncilman John Rock, chair of the Economic Development Committeezoning subcommittee, told a packed Sept. 3 meeting that the group would not rush review of a newly released zoning draft and would continue vetting standards for Warrensville Center Road development. "We are not going to rush this process, which affects every single household and business," Rock said.

Why it matters: The committee and residents focused on how proposed zoning changes could allow buildings taller and closer to the street than many homeowners expect, potentially creating overlooking, noise and parking impacts for back yards on streets such as Fenwood, Milford and Saybrook. Committee members repeatedly asked for code provisions that would protect adjacent single-family properties while allowing corridor redevelopment that could increase city revenues.

Most of the meeting centered on the Warrensville Center Road corridor. Vice Mayor Michelle Weiss and Councilwoman Sachs joined Rock in a line-by-line review of the comment matrix the committee had been using from an earlier draft. Council members and residents debated whether the code should allow 3, 3and-a-half or 4 stories along Warrensville and where step-backs, roof "half-story" definitions and rear setbacks should apply.

"The feedback…