Solon Planning Commission Approves Fence Variance, Strengthens Regulations on Vape Shops and Dispensaries

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The Solon Planning Commission approved several variance requests and advanced new regulations for vape shops and marijuana dispensaries during their June 24 meeting at City Hall.

RESIDENTIAL VARIANCES APPROVED

The commission unanimously approved a fence variance for Michelle Asher on Miles Road following advocacy from Ward 5 Councilperson Nancy Meany. Asher received approval for a 10-foot privacy fence with solid panels after commissioners heard testimony about privacy issues caused by a neighboring home built on what was previously considered an unbuildable lot.

Meany told the commission the city should accommodate Asher’s requests, noting residents had no advance notice the lot would be developed through a sheriff’s sale after years of the city denying building permits.

The commission approved three fence variances: a four-foot height increase, a 25 percent reduction in required openings, and permission to face the smooth side toward the neighboring property. Commissioner Benjamin voted against the height and opening variances but supported the smooth-side variance.

DRIVEWAY AND GARAGE VARIANCES

Clinton Do received approval for a driveway extension variance on Glenallen Avenue. Do told commissioners the family completed the work before realizing a permit was required, citing safety concerns with parallel parking five vehicles at night. The extension includes a small concrete area for his grandmother to sit outside.

Brad Bell was granted variances for an accessory garage on Miles Road, including approval for the structure’s location and a 15-foot side yard setback reduction.

VAPE SHOP REGULATIONS ADVANCE

The commission forwarded new regulations for vape shops to City Council that would establish distance requirements from schools and other youth-oriented facilities. Vice Mayor Nancy Meany questioned whether additional enforcement mechanisms could be added to address nuisance businesses or underage sales.

Planning Director Michael Ionna discussed a forthcoming nuisance ordinance modeled after successful programs in Sharonville and Lakewood that would give the city more local control over problem businesses.

DISPENSARY RESTRICTIONS STRENGTHENED

Following public comment from resident Laura Jaffe expressing concerns about marijuana dispensaries near schools, the commission approved amendments that would effectively create a moratorium on new dispensary locations. The changes also would prohibit future dispensaries in the Central Retail District.

Jaffe, a 33-year Solon resident, cited CDC research on cannabis effects on developing brains and University of Illinois studies showing increased crash fatalities in states with recreational marijuana. She noted several nearby communities imposed recreational cannabis moratoriums.

Commissioner Greenspan requested the Central Retail District prohibition, saying if the existing dispensary fails, the location should not be eligible for another cannabis business.

Two dispensaries currently operate in Solon – one on Enterprise Drive and another location that received drive-thru variances.

UPCOMING EVENTS

The Solon Fire Department will host a sensory-friendly open house June 26 at 6 p.m. at Station 2 downtown.

Mayor Krauss announced Solon Road construction by Trymor Construction will flip traffic direction as work progresses, and a new reconstruction project on Somcenter Road between Ada and Linden will begin next week with one-way traffic restrictions.