Solon council holds first reading on winery zoning district, lengthy public hearing draws supporters and opponents

The Solon City Council opened a public hearing May 20 and held a first reading of an ordinance to create a W1 Winery Zoning District for permanent parcel number 95619001 at 37500 Aurora Road. The applicants presented a revised site plan and described proposed operations; the council did not vote to rezone the parcel at the meeting.

Why it matters: If enacted and approved by voters, the zoning change would allow a commercial winery operation on property currently surrounded by single-family homes and would be submitted to Solon voters as part of the city’s rezoning ballot process.

Applicants Michael Sioka and Matt Sioka and architect Tim Ruzick presented a revised plan they said reduces impacts on neighboring homes. They described the site as roughly 24 acres, with about one acre of proposed development and the rest…