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Solon council votes to put W‑1 winery zoning for 37500 Aurora Road on ballot
Summary
The Solon City Council voted unanimously June 16 to submit an ordinance creating a W‑1 winery zoning district for 37500 Aurora Road to the city’s voters. Supporters called the development a potential destination and economic benefit; opponents raised concerns about traffic, hours, and nearby residential impacts.
The Solon City Council voted unanimously June 16 to submit an ordinance creating a W‑1 winery zoning district for permanent parcel 95619001, located at 37500 Aurora Road, to Solon voters.
The zoning change would add a W‑1 winery district and, if approved by voters, apply only to the parcel named in Ordinance No. 20 25 93. Councilman Bentley moved to submit the ordinance to the electors; Councilman Zawen seconded the motion and the council approved it by roll call vote.
Why it matters: supporters said the project would create local jobs, bring a hospitality venue to Solon and increase tax base; opponents said a winery and its production, parking and late hours could affect adjacent neighborhoods. Council members and the applicants emphasized this step only places the zoning change on the ballot — it does not approve construction or site plans, which would return to the planning and engineering review processes if voters approve the referendum.
Public comment at three council hearings ran more than an hour. Dolly Slaughter, who said she represents a local hospitality group, urged council to let voters decide and called the Richfield facility she toured “an amazing facility” that would make Solon a destination. Patrick Pizzi, a resident of 6985 Woodlands Lane, listed concerns about traffic, the parcel’s proximity to homes and said the site currently is R‑1D residential zoned; he said the proposed project includes “316 parking spots” and argued developers should be steered to existing commercial vacancies instead. Diane Imminen, of 38874 Lockmore Drive, told council she supported letting voters decide and said a comparable facility she visited was “very quiet.”
Council discussion stressed changes the applicant made after earlier proposals. Councilman Zawen read the ordinance’s definition of “winery” aloud at the meeting and noted explicit prohibited uses in the draft W‑1 text, including residential use, hotels/motels and “any use…determined by the city of Solon to pose a general public nuisance or imminent danger to health, safety, and welfare.” Council members pointed out the ordinance language also disallows cross access to residentially zoned property and said the current ballot measure applies only to the Aurora Road parcel.
Developers and architects represented Michelangelo’s/Michelangelo’s family of businesses at the meeting. Project representatives said they had modified their original plan — removing residential components that appeared in earlier proposals — and had added screening, four‑foot mounding and evergreen plantings intended to limit visual and light impacts on nearby homes. The applicants invited residents to continue meetings and tours of the existing Richfield facility.
Next steps: With council approval, the ordinance will appear on a future ballot for a public vote. If voters approve the zoning change, the project would still be subject to site plan review, traffic study, engineering and stormwater approvals and any applicable noise ordinances before construction or operation.
