Mentor planning commission tables irregular lot-split proposal after concerns about 5-acre zoning and narrow residual parcel

The Mentor Planning Commission on Feb. 27 tabled a request by an owner to split a roughly 22-acre, irregularly shaped parcel on Rivers Edge Drive after staff and commissioners raised concerns about a narrow residual lot and the property’s C‑1 Conservation zoning requirements.

Applicant Anthony Sliman of Willoughby Hills, who said his family has owned the property for about 50 years, told the commission he had a buyer interested in most of the tract and that the proposed split would leave a roughly five‑acre parcel that meets the zoning minimum. "We were looking to split a lot so we could sell, I think it was 16 or so acres of the 22," Sliman said, spelling his name for the record.

Kathy, representing the city administration, told the commission the administration had concerns about the configuration of the residual parcel. "The administration had concerns, with the narrowness at certain points of the lot," she said, noting the resulting residual parcel narrows in places to as little as about 10 feet alongside the adjacent golf course and that the C‑1 district requires larger minimum acreage.

Why it matters: the C‑1 Conservation district’s unusually large minimum lot-size requirement can make dividing large, irregular parcels difficult; leaving a narrow or unusable remnant parcel can create long-term property‑use and maintenance issues for the city and adjacent property owners.

Commission discussion focused on whether alternative approaches, such as selling the entire tract to the prospective buyer, approaching the neighboring golf course or the Lake Development Authority, or adjusting internal lines to avoid flag‑type remnants, had been explored. Sliman said he had spoken with the golf course and county airport in prior years but that both parties had indicated no funding to acquire the land.

Commissioner Varga and others noted the parcel’s geometry creates "puzzle pieces that don't fit," and asked staff and the applicant to investigate options that would avoid creating a narrow, potentially unusable residual. City staff said the planning office would review alternative designs and speak further with the applicant.

After discussion the commission moved to table the application to allow staff and the applicant to explore other design or ownership options; the motion to table passed on a roll call vote with all present commissioners voting yes.

Clarifying details: the applicant described the property as roughly 22 acres with a proposed split leaving a roughly 5‑acre residual to meet C‑1 minimums; staff said narrow points in the resulting parcel could be as little as about 10 feet. The commission heard that the golf course and an airport authority previously expressed interest but lacked funds, and that the applicant prefers splitting rather than selling the entire tract.

What’s next: staff will follow up with the applicant and the planning department will return options to the commission. The item remains tabled and no final approval or variance was granted at the Feb. 27 meeting.