Council clears land sale and conditional-use permit for new Cuyahoga County Public Library site

Parma Heights City Council on Sept. 23 approved the sale of roughly 2.8713 acres of city-owned property to the Cuyahoga County Public Library and granted a conditional use permit for construction of a new public library in Greenbrier Commons.

Clerk Allen read Ordinance No. 2024-58, which directs the sale of portions of PPNs 471-17-023, 471-17-025, 471-17-027 and 471-17-028, totaling approximately 2.8713 acres, to the Cuyahoga County Public Library and authorizes the administration to execute a real estate purchase agreement and related documents. Council accepted the amended language by roll call. The meeting also included Ordinance No. 2024-57 (authorizing a lot split of city-owned property at 6188 Pearl Road) and Resolution No. 2024-60 granting the library a conditional use permit with conditions under Chapter 1135 of the city code; council recorded affirmative roll-call votes on those items.

Mayor Gallo told the council the library’s groundbreaking in Greenbrier Commons is scheduled for Oct. 17 and that demolition funding was obtained for the old library to allow a smooth transition; he said the administration does not plan to displace the current library until the new facility is ready. Council and staff noted that amended ordinance language was on the floor and was accepted during the second reading.

The ordinances and resolution were read by title and moved for acceptance; Clerk Allen recorded the roll-call votes as 'Aye' from council members present. The administration was authorized to finalize the purchase agreement and related documents as provided in the ordinance.