Discussion Delayed on Sheetz, O'Charley's Rezoning

Strongsville's Planning Commission took no action on a request to rezone two parcels of land at the corner of Whitney and Pearl roads Thursday night, delaying a recommendation until project developers can make a presentation.

But commission members indicated they were pleased with preliminary plans submitted by O'Charley's and Sheetz for a restaurant and gas station/car wash at that corner.

Assistant City Engineer Lori Daley said the developers have been working with the city since at least the beginning of the year on a plan for the two businesses.

Both were introduced in January by WXZ Development Inc., which is seeking to develop the vacant land in front of Lowe's.

WXZ is wants to rezone one parcel from General Business to Restaurant-Restaurant Services for O'Charley's and the other from General Businss to Motor Services for Sheetz.

Daley said customers would get to O'Charley's via the existing Broxton Road -- the street that runs from Pearl to Lowe's -- and a new access road that would be built off Whitney Road and run behind the new businesses, connecting with Broxton.

Sheetz would also be accessed by another right-turn-in-only lane off Whitney, and by a driveway off Pearl Road.

Both northbound and southbound Pearl Road traffic would be allowed to turn into Sheetz, and a deceleration lane would be added in front of the business for vehicles turning right.

Leaving the business onto Pearl, traffic would be allowed to turn right -- northbound -- only.

Mayor Tom Perciak said the city has been waiting for years for development at that corner, stalled when two successive developers hit financial roadblocks and abandoned their plans.

"We're trying our very best to do something with that corner," Perciak said. "We finally have somebody who wants to do something there."

At a public meeting early this year, some local residents and one councilman opposed a Sheetz in that location.

The Planning Commission could make a recommendation on the rezonings as early as Oct. 4.

City Council will have the final say.