The City of Mentor’s Planning Commission and City Council met in early May 2025, with the Commission meeting on May 1 and the Council convening on May 6 for both a regular session and a work session.
Dick’s House of Sport Bringing New Retail Experience to Mentor Mall
The Municipal Planning Commission approved both a conditional use permit and preliminary site plan for Dick’s Sporting Goods to build their innovative “House of Sport” concept at 7850 Mentor Avenue, replacing the former Macy’s building at Great Lakes Mall. The new 120,000 square foot, two-level retail concept will feature an outdoor turf field/track for product testing, ice rink during winter months, indoor facilities including golf simulators, batting cages, and a rock climbing wall.
Dick’s representatives explained the experiential retail concept is designed to let customers test products before purchasing them, and the facility will host community events on its field and ice rink. Commissioner Crocker requested that Dick’s enhance the architectural detailing on the north side of the building facing Mentor Avenue, which the applicant agreed to address.
Clean Express Auto Wash Plan Tabled Over Traffic Concerns
The commission tabled a preliminary site plan for Clean Express Auto Wash at 9361 Mentor Avenue (former Boston Market location) due to traffic safety concerns, though they did approve the conditional use permit with conditions. Commissioners expressed concerns about potential traffic backups on Mentor Avenue and safe turning movements at the busy location.
Several residents spoke against the car wash proposal, citing existing traffic problems with the Zappy’s car wash nearby. The commission requested the applicant return with revised plans addressing these traffic flow issues.
Recreation Improvements Approved
Both the Planning Commission and City Council approved significant recreation projects:
- The Parks and Recreation Department’s building addition at 8600 Munson Road, which will replace five aging buildings at the Civic Center Pool with new facilities that match the architectural style of the amphitheater
- A $94,450 contract with DWA Recreation for a new pavilion at the Mentor Marina
- A $135,711 contract with Century Industries for a mobile stage, which Parks Director Kaminski noted would save $17,000-$20,000 annually in rental costs for city events
- A $269,770 contract with Royal Heating and Air Conditioning to replace the heating and air conditioning system at the Recreation Center soccer complex
- A $619,270 contract with Huffman Equipment Rental for Phase 6 of the Mentor Lagoons Park Marina bulkhead replacement project
Airbnb Regulations Discussed in Work Session
Prior to the regular council meeting on May 6, a work session was held to discuss potential regulations for short-term rentals like Airbnb, which are currently prohibited in Mentor. City Manager Filipiak noted three bills in the state legislature that could impact local control over short-term rentals.
The draft regulations presented would:
- Limit short-term rentals to R2, R3, and R4 single-family residential districts
- Cap the total number at one permit per 2,000 population, divided equally among the city’s four wards (approximately six permits per ward)
- Require annual permits and inspections
- Mandate that absentee owners designate a caretaker within 30 minutes of the property
- Limit guest capacity based on bedroom count
- Require adequate off-street parking
Councilman Kirchner expressed support for the regulations, noting he had personally stayed in about 30 Airbnbs across the United States and Europe without any bad experiences. Law Director Szeman advised that the proposed regulations would need to go before the Planning Commission since they involve determining land uses by district.
Other Planning Commission and Council Actions
The Planning Commission also approved:
- A conditional use permit for Northeast Ohio Towing to create a vehicle towing and storage facility at 9060 Tyler Boulevard
- An architectural re-imaging for Corduroy’s Pizza at 9131 Jordan Drive, allowing a mural depicting the history of the Headlands area
City Council approved several major infrastructure projects, including:
- A $1.8 million contract with Ronyak Paving for resurfacing Lakeshore Boulevard
- A $1.04 million contract with Phillips Paving for the 2025 Asphalt Road Repair Program, which will repair and resurface portions of 20 city streets
The May 6 council meeting also included the introduction of Aries, the police department’s newest K-9 officer, and public comments about a memorial stone for a fallen firefighter and issues at a local condominium association.
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