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Planning commission approves multiple site plans, denies fence variance; tables Hanger Club lot split
Summary
At the May 28 meeting the commission approved final site plan conversion of a former office at Chagrin Boulevard to 105 residential units (subject to structural work), approved Baywood Estates screening replacement, granted preliminary approval for Mandel JCC’s day camp redevelopment, denied a fence setback variance at 2367 Beechwood Boulevard and tabled a lot‑split for the Hanger Club pending sewer‑easement resolution.
The Beachwood Planning and Zoning Commission on May 28 moved through several development items: approving a final site plan for a multifamily conversion on Chagrin Boulevard with structural conditions, approving neighborhood screening replacements at Baywood Estates, granting preliminary approval for a large Mandel JCC day camp redevelopment, denying a substantial fence variance request for a corner lot, and keeping a lot‑split application for the Hanger Club tabled because a sewer‑easement issue remains unresolved.
Multifamily conversion, 23240 Chagrin Boulevard: Brandon Klein of Geist Companies requested final site plan approval to convert an eight‑story office building into 105 apartments with ground‑floor commercial space. City engineering reviewed a structural report by Barber & Hoffman that "recommends though a 5 year plan to rehabilitate the garage with priority A recommendations of about $650,000 to be implemented in year 1. And over 5 years it's been a little over $2,000,000 to reinforce the garage," a city engineer said. The commission approved the plan on the condition that the applicant submit and implement a plan acceptable to the city engineer and fire department for garage structural integrity and safe emergency access, including temporary shoring or permanent reinforcement as required.
Baywood Estates screening: Phil Cirochi said the existing panels are in poor repair and proposed replacing them with Hardie Board sections, reducing linear footage and regularizing spacing. Engineering and department staff had no objections, and the commission granted both preliminary and final site plan approval.
Mandel JCC Children's Day Camp redevelopment: Jesse Rosen, chief executive of the Mandel JCC, and architect Rick Parker presented a substantial redevelopment that will consolidate summer day camp operations onto the Beachwood campus, add multiple pavilions with restrooms, a new pool, a field house and reconfigured parking. Smarrigan said the plan complies with U5 setbacks and does not require variances; the commission granted preliminary site plan approval subject to police and fire comments. Rosen said the JCC currently runs about 300 kids a day and envisions capacity expanding to roughly 600–650 in total at build‑out.
Fence variance denied, 2367 Beechwood Boulevard: Elon Sanders asked for a 10‑foot side‑street right‑of‑way variance to enclose a corner lot for child safety. City staff and the planner said prior unpermitted fences elsewhere are not a legal basis to grant a variance and questioned whether the applicant met the "practical difficulty" standard. Smarrigan said, "To go from 12 feet to 2 feet is a substantial variance," and the motion to approve the variance failed on roll call.
Hanger Club lot split tabled (24400 Cedar Road): The applicant for a revised lot split was not present when the item was first called, and later when the applicant arrived staff said a potential sewer line without a recorded easement must be resolved. The commission voted to keep the item tabled until the issue is clarified and the applicant returns with documentation.
The meeting adjourned after these items.
