This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Politics & Government

The View from Ward 2: Issue #10

Coronavirus, Beekeeping, Census 2020, and more!

Jason Shachner, Ward 2 Councilmember's profile picture
Jason Shachner, Ward 2 Councilmember, Community Contributor
|

Coronavirus Response

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is presenting unique challenges to us all. We are not in the habit of being holed up inside and unable to frequent our many Lakewood business, especially as the weather starts to get warmer. However, until we are confident that it is safe to gather in groups again, we must heed the advice of our local and federal governments, like practicing social distancing and frequent handwashing. Here’s some additional recommendations from the CDC about how to best prepare: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/index.html.

The Mayor’s Office, City Council, and local organizations, including LakewoodAlive and the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, are working around the clock to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus and harm to Lakewood’s hospitality industry and other small businesses. Please go to http://www.onelakewood.com/coronavirus/ for Lakewood specific updates.

Here’s some additional resources:


There is a lot of information, and misinformation, circulating about COVID-19. I implore you to carefully check your sources and remain up-to-date as the situation continues to evolve.

Additionally, while all Ohio bars and restaurants are closed for dine-in services, many are still offering take-out and delivery. I encourage you to continue to patronize our local eateries using these methods, and tip as if you were dining in.

I am confident that we will come out of this experience a stronger and closer Lakewood. Lakewoodites are caring, vibrant, and community-oriented, but most of all we are resilient. We are a community of teachers, doctors, artists, engineers, bartenders, rocket scientists, musicians, and much more. During this trying time look out for one another, be kind, and let’s how the entire country why Lakewood is the only place that we would ever want to call home.

Lakewood Beekeeping Ordinance

At last Monday’s Housing, Planning, and Development Committee meeting we discussed beekeeping in Lakewood. I presented my draft of a beekeeping ordinance as a place to begin our deliberations. We were joined by several beekeepers including the president of the Ohio State Beekeeping Associations, Peggy Garnes. They provided incredibly useful insight and I am confident that we will be able to pass an ordinance allowing beekeeping in Lakewood by the end of the year.

Find out what's happening in Lakewoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

LakewoodAlive Knowing Your Home

Last Thursday, Michelle and I attended LakewoodAlive’s first Knowing Your Home workshop of the season - Building a Sound Investment. LakewoodAlive assembled a knowledgeable group of panelists, with an array of expertise: Bill Gaydos (William J. Gaydos & Associates, LLC), Jim "JP" Ptacek (Larsen Architects), Chris Parmelee (City of Lakewood), Caroline Purcell (First Federal Lakewood), Mike Quinn (Cleveland Lumber Company). The panelists discussed how to maintain and improve our unique Lakewood homes with advice on what investments to make and the best ways to make them. They also answered questions on financing and contracting. We gained some great, practical tips about major home improvement projects, and really appreciate the panelists taking the time to share their expertise. Stay tuned for information about future workshops!

Barry Buick Site Approval

Last week, the Solove’s plan for the development of the former Barry Buick site received final approval. This was an extensive process that involved coordination between several City departments and commissions. Planning and Development Director Bryce Sylvestor provided the following bullet points about the project:

Find out what's happening in Lakewoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • 160 new housing units. Using a conservative estimate of $60,000 annual income per household x 160 units = $9,600,000 in new payroll. Conservatively that represents $96,000 per year in new annual income tax collections. As a comparison, this is analogous to being one of the largest employers in the city from an income tax generation standpoint.
  • The project will include new commercial retail space, with a target on landing a small business as part of the project.
  • The project will include 20% of the units rented to household making 80%-120% area median income (AMI), which is available due to Council’s support of the modification to the citywide Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) last fall. Practically, this will lock in 20% of the units that will be rented to households making 80%-120% AMI for 15 years.
  • Per the Planning Commission vote on the Mixed Use Overlay District, Solove has committed to exceed the minimum stormwater requirements on site in recognition of the City’s and community’s priority around stormwater management.
  • This project will diversify Lakewood’s housing stock. It will be one of the first new apartment buildings constructed in Lakewood in decades.
  • The project will help to support Lakewood’s small business community by introducing new customers and discretionary income to Lakewood’s local economy. I [Bryce Sylvester] won’t quantify this, but this project will likely add 200 people within walking distance to dozens and dozens of local businesses we all work hard to support. This is meaningful.

Click here to see the approved site plan.

The Census is Here!

Last week you likely received your invitation to fill out the Census. Michelle and I filled it out online and it was quick and easy!

Remember, the results of the census impact state budgets and provide a basis for the distribution of federal funds (like Education and School Lunch Program, Food and Healthcare programs, SNAP, Children's Health Insurance, Head Start and housing vouchers, Low-income Home Energy Assistance, Low-income housing Tax Credit Community Development Block Grants, Medicaid, Transit, and Schools and roads) and reapportioning congressional seats. Lakewood will benefit most when everyone is counted. Please make sure to participate.

You can learn more about the census by visiting https://2020census.gov/en.html.

Election TOMORROW!

Reminder: The primary election is tomorrow, Tuesday, March 17th. Find your polling location here: https://boe.cuyahogacounty.us/en-US/My-Polling-Location.aspx.

To our friends in Ward 3, please note that your polling location may have changed.

Remember to vote YES on Issue 28 and Issue 33!

I encourage you to vote (and to wash your hands before and after doing so).

Get the View from Ward 2 Newsletter in your Inbox!

Sign up here!

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Lakewood