The Planning Commission voted to table a lot-consolidation request related to John Carroll University's Gateway North project so applicants could provide clearer plans showing how a recently acquired adjacent parcel will be used and how the change would affect parking, truck access and neighborhood buffers.

The consolidation request covered multiple addresses described by staff: 2574, 2582, 2590 and 2596 Milford Road and 2599, 2603, 2609 and 2619 Warrensville Center (to be consolidated into two lots for a north student-parking lot and a south mixed-use lot). Staff noted the item will appear on the city council agenda for final action the following week.

Dave Fry of LJB, the civil engineer on the project, told the commission the consolidation simply combines parcels and that the north lot would be for student parking while the south lot would be for mixed use. "They're owned by either John Carroll or the 1886 company," Fry said. Rob Juris of LJB said the newly acquired parcel — referred to in the discussion as the "holdout house," 2613 Warrensville Center — could be used to ease truck turning or to expand parking, and that purchase of the parcel simplifies design options.

Commissioners and staff pressed for specifics. One architect-commissioner said he wanted the consolidated plat to show where the parcel would go and what it would be used for — parking, truck turnaround, stormwater retention or other uses — before approving consolidation. "If it's a turnaround area for a truck, it shouldn't go with parcel B; it should go with parcel A," a commissioner said, arguing the commission must see the intended use on paper rather than imagine it.

Nearby resident testimony highlighted neighborhood concerns. A speaker identifying herself as a daughter of a long-time resident at 2570 Milford Road said her mother "lived in the house for 62 years" and urged the commission to ensure buffers and privacy protections are provided. Planning staff reminded the meeting that the preliminary site plan approval included a required buffer and fencing, identified at the preliminary stage as an "ornamental" fence, and said final plans will specify the fence type and buffer dimensions.

Applicants said they face timing pressure from project financing and John Carroll's schedule, and asked the commission to consider proceeding with the consolidation now. LJB representatives said the parcel's incorporation is likely to prompt a resubmittal of some site-plan elements and that any actual use of the parcel would return to planning commission review. One LJB representative said the acquisition could allow minor realignment of drives and parking to improve truck access.

After discussion, Commissioner Rock moved to table the lot consolidation; Commissioner Irvin seconded. The motion passed with commissioners Thomas, Irvin, Casey and Rhett voting yes. Staff said they would work with the applicant to schedule an earlier meeting than the July 3 date if the applicant can supply updated materials sooner.

Next steps: Applicants were asked to resubmit a consolidation plat that places the acquired parcel with the lot it is intended to serve and to show the expected use (parking, turnaround, stormwater, buffer) so staff and the commission can confirm that the consolidation makes sense with the approved and proposed site-plan elements. The item will return to the commission after the applicants provide the clarified submission.