Planning commission tables decision on Center Ridge restaurant and lounge; staff seeks facade, lighting and circulation details

The North Ridgeville Planning Commission voted unanimously Jan. 14 to table review of a development plan and conditional-use elements for a proposed restaurant and lounge at 39462 Center Ridge Road.

Planning and Development Director Kim Lieber told the commission that City Council has approved rezoning the parcel from I-3 Heavy Industrial to B-3 Highway Commercial and advised commissioners to consider the application “as if this property were rezoned for the purpose of your review and recommendation this evening.” Lieber recommended the commission also issue a conditional-use permit for the bar/tavern components because bars are conditional uses in the B-3 district.

The application, filed by property owner Steven Joseph, proposes interior reuse of the existing building, construction of a new west-side patio about 6 feet above grade with an ADA ramp and new stairs, and reconfiguration of the parking lot to meet current code. Joseph said the parking striping was pulled back to remove encroachment onto the right-of-way and that he will maintain a grassed area at the lot edge and add landscaping in the rear. “We re-striped, we took back the striping because it was encroaching towards the road,” Joseph said.

Staff raised several outstanding items at the hearing: additional elevation drawings and material specifications for the proposed facade; a photometric lighting plan showing illumination levels and fixture specifications; clarification of proposed railings around the patio; and demonstration that the driveway configuration provides safe vehicular access without conflicting with a large utility pole and a fire hydrant near the proposed entrance.

City Engineer Evanston said the proposed drive aisle appears traversable by emergency vehicles but indicated final review by the fire department will be required during final plan review. Commissioners pressed the applicant to show vehicle turning radii and asked the driveway be shifted west if engineering review finds the current entry too close to the pole and hydrant.

Commissioners also discussed a letter from the Ohio Turnpike Commission asking for a fence along the shared property line. Lieber noted the request and the applicant said the turnpike already has a fence and barbed wire on its embankment; the commission clarified the turnpike’s request is advisory rather than mandatory for the commission’s action.

Other site details provided in staff materials included: the existing building is nonconforming to current setback requirements; the plan shows a dumpster enclosure and ADA parking; 50 parking spaces are shown and staff calculated that would meet requirements based on proposed seating; and the applicant will be required to patch, seal and restripe the parking lot before final approval. The file also notes the applicant must submit final signage details for permit review.

Commissioners agreed the plan shows progress on a difficult parcel but that more detailed engineering and architectural information is needed before action. A motion to table the item for one month passed by roll call: Commissioners Steve Ali, Frank Toth, Schuman, Abins and Chairman James Smolik voted yes; the motion carried unanimously.

The commission provided explicit direction to the applicant and staff before the item returns: provide detailed architectural elevations and material specifications for all facades; submit a photometric lighting plan tied to fixture cut sheets and include Ohio Turnpike review as needed; show emergency vehicle turning radii on the plan; adjust the driveway location if required to avoid the pole/hydrant conflict; supply full sign permit submittals; and patch/seal/restripe the lot prior to final approval.

With those items addressed to the satisfaction of staff and the commission, the application may return for final action and issuance of required permits.