Brecksville Planning and BZA Meetings: Therapy And Wellness Connection Expansion, FirstEnergy Upgrades, Business Zoning Cases

RELATED: Starting a Business in Brecksville Ohio: Local Resources BRECKSVILLE, Ohio – Therapy and Wellness Connection took center stage at recent Brecksville Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals meetings, as city officials signed off on a new conditional use that will allow the fast‑growing pediatric therapy provider to expand across Brecksville Road. Commissioners also advanced a major upgrade and security plan for FirstEnergy’s Miller Road campus and reviewed other business‑related zoning matters. Therapy and Wellness Connection Wins Conditional Use for Second Brecksville Site The Brecksville Planning Commission on Dec. 4 unanimously recommended approval of a conditional use permit for Therapy and Wellness Connection to operate at 10330 Brecksville Road in an MD (manufacturing) district, directly across from its existing clinic. Therapy and Wellness Connection currently operates at 10245 Brecksville Road offering speech, occupational, physical and ABA therapy, day programs, educational support and summer camp for children and young adults with disabilities and developmental delays, according to the company’s own materials and autism‑resource listings online ( Therapy & Wellness Connection , Milestones Autism Resources ). The practice is owned by speech‑language pathologist Jaclyn McClymont , who is listed as owner/SLP in Milestones’ resource center. At the Dec. 4 meeting, representatives explained that the new location will function as a second site with a different service model rather than simply duplicating the current clinic. The new facility will operate with an approximate ratio of one therapist to three children , compared with more intensive one‑on‑one services at the existing site. They described it as a progressive, less‑restrictive “alternative school” style day program , designed to help students work toward re‑entry into their home school districts and fuller participation in community life. The organization currently serves around 200 clients , many with autism, with funding for its day program primarily coming from insurance. The new program will allow services to extend beyond autism diagnoses because of different funding mechanisms. Commission members asked how long the provider had been in Brecksville and how the second site would change operations. The applicant noted Therapy and Wellness Connection has been in town since 2017 , originally near Miller and Brecksville roads, then moving to 10245 Brecksville Road and securing a prior conditional use in 2019 for that building. Several members praised the organization’s work and growth. One commissioner told the representatives he was “very happy” to see them expanding, calling their continued growth a “good problem to have” and saying the city was “very thankful” the business chose to stay and invest in Brecksville. No residents spoke for or against the project during the public hearing. With no objections raised, the commission voted to recommend approval of the conditional use at 10330 Brecksville Road as outlined in Therapy and Wellness Connection’s Nov. 13, 2025 application and supporting documents. City Council will have final say on the conditional use. FirstEnergy Plans Major Miller Road Upgrades and New Security Fence Also on Dec. 4, the Planning Commission granted preliminary approval for extensive exterior and site work at FirstEnergy’s Northern Region Headquarters at 6896 Miller Road . Architect Julia Duhart and civil engineer Wes Davis , appearing on behalf of FirstEnergy, outlined a multi‑phase project to modernize and secure the long‑time CEI facility: The 1978 diamond‑shaped building will continue to house CEI and serve as a secondary control center — a backup to FirstEnergy’s main control center in Akron in case of a large‑scale failure. A 1999 two‑story atrium addition will be reconfigured for the company’s transmission arm, identified at the meeting as ATSI (American Transmission Systems, Inc.), which manages the bulk electric system over a multi‑state footprint. Exterior work includes: Full cleaning and repair of aging precast concrete panels . Removal of oversized, outdated entries on the north and west sides and replacement with pre‑manufactured metal canopies in a dark bronze color to match site lighting. Replacement of worn aluminum storefront and curtainwall systems with new glass and framing matching the existing sightlines and finish. The architect noted the original insulated glass still meets current energy codes; the main issues are failed gaskets and sealants that have led to leaks. Targeted door replacements and minor repairs on the south side, with the overhead coiling door kept in place. Site work calls for milling the parking lot down to base and resurfacing, while expanding parking from roughly 230–250 spaces to around 317 spaces , plus room to land‑bank 14 additional spaces if needed. The plan also tightens circulation and ADA compliance: Existing drive aisles are about 23.1 feet wide, shy