Planning Commission Faces Sign Enforcement Decision

Illegal signs have been cropping up around Brecksville left and right, members of the city's Planning Commission said during Thursday night's meeting.

“I think the issue here is whether or not there is enforcement,” Mayor Jerry N. Hruby said. “What are we willing to accept reasonably?”

Commission members openly debated revising the current sign code versus enforcing it with a firmer hand. A business’ need for advertisement during difficult economic times is understandable, but enforcing a clean look for the city is important as well, the mayor said and the commission agreed.

Kirk Roman, commission member, suggested each member find five considerably offensive signs and bring the list to April’s meeting. After that meeting, the commission will take a trip around town to observe the signs and make a decision about changing or keeping the code and enforcing it.

The signage debate was just one topic during Thursday's meeting among others, such as construction trailer placement and house construction.

New construction and development:

The Planning Commission approved the plans for the Kid’s Green Valley Early Learning Center on 4949 W. Snowville Rd., which will be voted on by City Council March 15. Owner Rose Marinescu presented the plans for the facility, which will include three playgrounds, a basketball court, three toddler rooms, a preschoolers room and a kitchen.

“I don’t think we’ll be bothering anyone,” Marinescu said about the level of activity on the 10,000 square-foot property that will host day care year round.

And the Curtiss Wright Flow Control Company gained approval to consolidate three parcels of land in preparation for company growth.

“They bought the land and made a great commitment to Brecksville,” Hruby said. He expressed his thanks toward the company’s influence and support of the city in the past years.

Rejected requests:

Mirek Augustyniak did not receive approval to build a new home on an existing plot. His new plan deviates from the previous home and existing surrounding homes.

“With the codes that we have, the architectural materials should be in line with the neighbors, the existing properties,” said commission member Mike Harwood.

A public hearing notice will go out to Augustyniak’s neighbors, along with an aerial view and plan of the proposed home.

Michael Merle, president of Ray Fogg Building Methods, Inc., proposed to split the business center lot on 6400 W. Snowville Rd. Due to legal issues about parking spaces and new ownership of the lots, the Planning Commission voted to have adjustments made before moving forward. The decision will affect future similar lot splits.

“This will be setting a precedent that we will have to live with so we’ll have to be careful,” said commission member Dom Sciria.

Other commission news:

The commission recognized that Ray Andrews was stepping down from his position on the Planning Commission. His thriving business and his family keep him too busy to continue serving on the commission, Hruby said.

“Ray’s always been a gentleman, a thinker, someone who spoke his mind and has done what he can for the community,” Hruby said.

Bob Hotaling will replace Andrews on the commission, and sat in on Thursday’s meeting for a preview of his duties.