The Solon Planning Commission has unanimously approved recommending the W-1 Winery zoning proposal to City Council, moving the Michael Angelo’s winery project one step closer to reality. You can view the Michael Angelo’s Winery Project Proposal here.
Mayor Krauss, who visited the developers’ existing Richfield location with Councilman Shimits, expressed strong support for the project during the April 29 meeting. “We were both blown away by this project. We were blown away by the developers,” Krauss stated, emphasizing that the project represents progress and economic development for Solon.
The meeting clarified that the proposed winery would only occupy approximately one acre of building space on the 27-acre property, with 400-500 feet between any residential properties and the business.
A commission member noted that the alternative use of the land would likely be housing development, which would involve more city resources for street maintenance, plowing, and sewers, whereas the winery owners would maintain their own infrastructure.
The commission’s vote is merely a recommendation to City Council, which will hold three readings with public hearings before placing the rezoning measure on the November 2025 ballot. Any rezoning would require majority approval from both Solon voters at large and Ward 1 voters specifically.
City legal counsel emphasized that if approved, the property would be limited to the permitted uses outlined in the W-1 zoning ordinance, and any future changes would require going through the same approval process with voters.
The public was reassured that opportunities to provide input would continue throughout the City Council’s consideration of the proposal.
Here is the video of the Solon planning meeting:
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