Planning Commission backs rezoning near Cleveland Clinic to limit industrial uses

The Avon Planning Commission voted unanimously June 17 to recommend that City Council rezone 95.24 acres on Just Imagine Drive — the stretch from the Cleveland Clinic sign west to the Get-Go convenience store — by removing the M-1 industrial overlay and leaving only the C-4 General Business designation.

Planning Coordinator Pam Fechter said the change reflects how land uses have evolved with the Cleveland Clinic’s expansion. "Originally when Avon was developing the area on Just Imagine Drive east of Nagel Road, the M-1 zoning with general business and industrial overlays was applied to keep options open for various types of uses," she said, adding the goal now is to keep industrial companies from locating immediately adjacent to the Clinic.

The Commission heard one public speaker, Tommy Lavelle of Quest Auto Spa, who said he had recently purchased a building on Just Imagine Drive and wanted to confirm his detailing business would remain permissible. Fechter reassured him that "existing uses would be grandfathered in, but no new industrial uses would be allowed in that section for the benefit of the area development and the Cleveland Clinic's presence." Law Director John Gasior further advised staff would follow up with written clarification on permitted uses.

Commissioners approved a motion recommending the rezoning be advanced to City Council; minutes record the vote as "AYES all." The referral means Council will review the ordinance under its standard process (typically a three-reading schedule) before any final rezoning takes effect.

The recommendation does not retroactively prohibit current lawful uses; rather, it removes the industrial overlay so new industrial operations could not locate on that stretch going forward. Fechter offered to provide Lavelle with a written summary of how C-4 and M-1 uses differ and noted the rezoning will be considered by Council in the coming weeks.