Government - http://maxpages.com/minnickward4/JUNE_2004_LETTER_TO_THE

The May 20 article, ”Outlet mall eyed for Staubach site”stating reasons the project did not materialize, was incorrect. This is the accurate history.

During the Jeff Armbruster administration, Qpanel planned to build a new facility on Lorain Rd. east of Lear Nagle Rd. when Mayor Deanna Hill took office, she asked them not to build because a large commercial development was proposed and a portion of Qpanel’s property would be needed for access. (Qpanel also was offered $5 million from First Interstate Land Development, a local land developer, but because the city asked them first to sell to Cypress, aka Staubach, Qpanel turned down the offer.)

Qpanel’s property had the only access to Lorain Rd., a requirement of B-3 zoning. Our council, at the time, inappropriately rezoned Cypress’ land from R-1 (residential) to B-3 (commercial) before proper access to Lorain Rd. was obtained.

Several times, Qpanel and Cypress agreed on a price, but Cypress backed out of those agreements. The city then teamed up with Cypress to take Qpanel’s property by eminent domain. Five council members approved the eminent domain procedure and ultimately were sued by Qpanel. (I did not vote in favor of the rezoning nor the eminent domain procedure.) A lengthy court battle ensued.

During that time, AutoNation, the anchor and only business committed to building in N. Ridgeville, developed financial problems nationwide and decided not to build any new stores. No other businesses were named or committed to the project.

Cypress obtained a grant to help pay for adding a third lane on a portion of Lear Nagle. That grant had an expiration date. Because of the lengthy legal battle and AutoNation backing out, time ran out on the grant before another anchor store could be found. The Hill administration was responsible for losing three different commercial projects—Qpanel, First Interstate Land Development and Cypress Equities, in addition to the lost grant.

There are small pockets of wetlands on the Qpanel and Cypress properties. The Army Corps of engineers, at the onset of the proposed commercial site, solicited comments from the residents about destroying the wetlands. Many residents called me requesting that Cypress leave the wetlands intact and to work around them. I relayed the residents’ concerns to the Corps—my job as Ward 4 council representative. I also encouraged the city to require Cypress to build mounds to shield abutting residents from the project.

There are reasons laws and ordinances are written. When they are not adhered to, dire consequences can result. Blaming others for mishandling projects is a malicious political game. Voters should be cautious when they cast their ballots for state representative in the fall.

minnickgail@hotmail.com

Page Updated Fri Oct 1, 2004 11:08pm EDT