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Brooklyn Heights committee weighs remediation, sale after $400,000 appraisal of Schaaf Road parcel
Summary
Village officials and residents debated whether to remediate or sell a Village-owned parcel on Schaaf Road after an appraisal of $400,000; officials outlined grant funding and cleanup steps, while the mayor suggested not listing the property for less than $2.5 million.
Jennifer Presot, chair of the Ad Hoc Environmental Committee, opened the April 1 meeting of the Village of Brooklyn Heights to discuss the Village-owned parcel on Schaaf Road and review a recent appraisal and cleanup options.
Mr. Schuckert, who led the appraisal effort, reported that the property was appraised at $400,000 and said that figure aligns with current market rates for clean properties in Cuyahoga County. Presot added that a smaller nearby parcel known as the Boyert property sold for more than $1 million within the last two years.
Mayor Michael Procuk reviewed the property’s recent sales history and said the Village should not list the parcel for anything less than $2.5 million if Council decides to sell. "They should not put it up for anything less than $2.5M," he said.
Residents raised zoning, reuse and safety concerns. Henry Stankiewicz asked about zoning; Procuk confirmed the site is zoned residential. George Sedlak suggested the Village consider building a new Service Department building on the site and surrounding it with park space rather than paying for remediation and selling. Sedlak warned of excavation risks, saying the work could "open a can of worms." Bernadette Csizek joined Sedlak in weighing the pros and cons of residential development on the site.
Zoldak Meade provided a detailed summary of the site’s remediation history and current funding prospects. She said several phases of cleanup spanning more than a decade have been completed, supported in part by $200,000 in petroleum cleanup grant funding, and that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has granted partial clearance while about three acres remain contaminated. The Village has applied for a Brownfield Remediation Grant that would cover roughly 75% of remediation costs and has an agreement with the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission that secured a little more than $1 million toward comprehensive cleanup. Meade said consultants anticipate this will be the last major remediation effort and that the Village intends to seek clearance under the Voluntary Action Program (VAP), which would yield a Covenant Not to Sue and substantially reduce the Village’s long-term liability.
Resident Mike Hopkins asked which portion of the property would be remediated and expressed concern about airborne risks during excavation; Meade said maps showing contaminated areas are available on the county auditor’s website and explained where contaminated soil would be taken. Mayor Procuk said the Village must ensure remediation is conducted safely and in the community’s best interests. Hopkins said he planned to have his home tested for lead.
No formal motion or vote was recorded during the meeting. Committee members discussed alternatives — sale, reuse for municipal facilities, and remediation funded through grants — but did not reach a decision. The Village has applied for grant funds and intends to pursue VAP clearance after remediation; Council will consider next steps and any formal actions at a future meeting.
