Solon Council Sends Ward Veto Question To November Ballot

Solon City Council voted Monday night to let voters decide in November whether the city should eliminate its ward veto, a charter provision that has shaped development fights in Solon for decades. The vote came during a lengthy meeting that also included four planning variances, two withdrawn police vehicle purchases, a proposed change to the city charter’s economic development language and public comment on surveillance cameras posted around town. Planning Commission Consent Items Council approved four Planning Commission items during the consent portion of the meeting. An application for 5315 Som Center Road sought an 8.3 foot front yard building setback variance for a garage addition. Zoe and Jane Vire submitted the request, and the Planning Commission approved it contingent on compliance with the Planning Department memo dated July 6 and the Engineering Department memo dated July 9. Zoe Vire and a contractor attended the meeting and agreed to the requirements. At 5560 Elm Hill Drive, Monica and Ryan Burrell requested a 16 foot rear setback variance and a 2.5 foot rear yard fence height variance. The Planning Commission approved the request contingent on the same pair of department memos. Monica Burrell attended and agreed to the conditions. The Solon City School District Board of Education applied for a 21.6 percent changeable copy area variance for signage at 33800 Inwood Road. The Planning Commission approved the request contingent on the Planning Department memo dated July 8. A representative from the applicant’s sign contractor attended and agreed to comply. A generator variance at 5951 Briar Dale Lane, requested by Andrew and Brenda Pratt for mechanical equipment placed in the front yard, passed the Planning Commission by a 4 to 1 vote. The applicants agreed to full screening around the generator so it would not be visible or audible from the street. Council approved all four items unanimously. Police Vehicle Purchases Pulled Two ordinances authorizing the purchase of new Ford Police Interceptors and related equipment for the Police Department were withdrawn from the agenda. Police Chief Courtenay Perkins told council the insurance company handling the trade in vehicles had declared them a total loss, which unwound the financing plan behind both purchases. Council voted to remove both items so the department can revisit the arrangement. Charter Review Commission Ballot Questions Four charter amendments recommended by the Charter Review Commission were before council for a third reading and public hearing. Two were held for further review, and two advanced toward the November ballot. Master Plan Update Held An amendment updating the section of the charter governing the city’s Master Plan Citizens Committee remained on its third reading. Planning and Community Development Director Michael Ionna had asked for more time to review a proposed deadline change, and the Charter Review Commission said it had not yet had the chance to meet on the request. Council agreed to hold the item until its next meeting. Economic Development Director Language Amended Council debated whether the position of director of economic development should remain part of the city charter at all. Members voted 4 to 3 to strike language requiring the director to work exclusively for Solon and to remove a full time requirement from the proposed section. The amended measure then passed under suspension by the same 4 to 3 margin. Because it fell short of the five votes needed to take effect immediately, the ordinance will not become effective for 40 days, a delay officials said could keep it off the November ballot depending on filing deadlines. Residential Zoning Change Held A proposed amendment would let council approve zoning changes between residential classifications without sending the matter to voters. The Charter Review Commission chair presented last minute language changes clarifying how the rule would apply to the city’s zoning map and code. Council voted to accept the amended language but held the item until its next meeting so members and residents could review it more closely before a final vote. Ward Veto Repeal Heads To Ballot Council voted 6 to 1 to place a question on the November ballot asking Solon voters whether to eliminate the ward veto, which currently allows a rejected zoning change to be overturned by voters within the affected ward alone. Council Member Robert Pelunis cast the lone no vote. Several members said they were personally divided on the underlying policy but wanted the electorate, not council, to make the final call. Residents who spoke during the public hearing were split, with some arguing the veto protects neighborhoods from unwanted development and others saying it discourages business investment in the city. Industrial Core Zoning Change Also Advances A separate amendment giving council and the Planning Commission authority to change zoning designations within the city&r