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Residents press council to block spot zoning and proposed gas station at former CVS on Madison Avenue
Summary
Multiple residents urged Cleveland City Council to halt spot zoning that would allow a gas station at 10022 Madison Avenue, citing prior zoning board rejection, child-safety risks near a recreation center and school, canopy loss, and alleged campaign contributions to a councilmember.
Residents from multiple wards used the council's public-comment period to renew opposition to a proposed gas station at 10022 Madison Avenue, the former CVS site, and to press elected leaders to reverse or table any spot-zoning moves.
Susan Zimmerman, who identified herself as a Cudell resident, told council that Shaker Madison LLC seeks to build a gas station at the corner of Madison Avenue and West Boulevard and that the "board of zoning appeals has already ruled against the gas station." She warned that the site is adjacent to the Cudell Recreation Center, Marion Seltzer School and a playground and said, "If a gas station is built on that corner, it's only a matter of time before a child is injured or killed." Zimmerman asked Mayor Bibb to secure the parcel for a new fire station instead.
Fauzi Badua, speaking on behalf of neighborhood opposition, congratulated residents for voting against the proposal and criticized the timing of the proposal during the election period, calling it "morally wrong for this proposal to be pushed during this council tenure." He also praised neighborhood advocate Jenny Spencer for casting the lone 'no' vote in a prior 5–1 decision described by speakers.
Council supporter-turned-critic Stephanie Thomas provided personal testimony and alleged a financial connection: she said the gas-station owner had contributed to Councilman Danny Kelly's campaign, adding, "Danny, we know your campaign took $6,000 from this gentleman." Thomas urged the council to continue to table the legislation and said opponents will remain present until the ordinance is halted.
Speakers called for reversing an alleged land swap that they described as transferring Watterson Lake property to the Cleveland Metropolitan School District in exchange for Caddell Commons Park, and several asked the council to protect mature trees and the neighborhood's pedestrian safety.
Council did not take a floor vote on the spot-zoning issue during this meeting; public commenters urged administrative and legislative action and repeated requests that legislation be withdrawn or tabled until further review.
Next steps noted in the meeting record include continued public comment and public-safety committee follow-ups; the transcript shows residents will continue to press for either outright withdrawal of the spot-zoning proposal or for the site to be used for a needed fire station instead.
