Solon Planning Commission: Liberty Road Split, Community Living Driveways, Hawthorne Estates Delay

RELATED: Starting a Business in Solon Ohio: Local Resources RELATED: Solon Police Blotter: Fleeing, Theft, Fraud, Assault SOLON , Ohio – The Solon planning commission December 9, 2025, meeting was short but busy, with members shifting a long‑running Liberty Road lot split to the inactive agenda, granting driveway variances for Solon Community Living, and tabling final plat action for the Hawthorne Golf Estates age‑restricted development. A fence request on Bainbridge Road was also postponed, while an older Villas at Emerald Ridge case was brought back to life. Commission Meets With Four Members, Approves Minutes The Planning Commission met with four voting members present instead of its usual five. By charter, the body normally includes: Councilman Macke Bentley , chair Robert Benjamin Greg Greenspan Kimberly D. Sutton Mayor Edward H. Kraus Donna Letourneau , secretary to the Planning Commission [City records confirm the commission’s composition.][solon_planning] With one member absent, the commission’s attorney reminded applicants that three affirmative votes were still required for a recommendation to City Council and that they could request tabling if they felt they needed a fuller commission. Commissioners unanimously approved the minutes from the Nov. 10, 2025 meeting. Liberty Road Lot Split Moved to Inactive Agenda 7390 & 7384 Liberty Road – Suhaj Family Trust & Rhonda Fuldauer Trust Case PCPC‑2025‑068 – Ward 1 A long‑tabled proposal involving a lot split/consolidation for 7390 and 7384 Liberty Road was formally moved to the inactive agenda at the applicants’ request. The project involves: Permanent parcel numbers: 956‑16‑020 and 956‑16‑004 Owners: Suhaj Family Trust and Rhonda Fuldauer Trust The item had previously been tabled at the commission’s Oct. 28 and Nov. 10, 2025 meetings. With no new materials submitted and the applicants asking for more time, the commission voted to shift the case off the active agenda until the owners are ready to proceed. Bainbridge Road Fence Variance Tabled 33330 Bainbridge Road – Roger Van Nostran Case PCPC‑2025‑073 – Ward 6 A request from property owner Roger Van Nostran for a fence location variance at 33330 Bainbridge Road was tabled at the applicant’s request . The chair said the delay will allow Van Nostran or his daughter to meet with the city and refine what is really needed on the property before the commission takes a formal vote. The application will return on a future agenda once the owner is ready. Pettibone Road Accessory Structure Variances Approved 32201 Pettibone Road – Darren Pardue Case PCPC‑2025‑074 – Ward 2 The commission unanimously approved two variances for an accessory structure at 32201 Pettibone Road : 312 sq. ft. accessory structure size variance 2 ft. accessory structure height variance Owner Darren Pardue explained that the request is for a shed/barn‑style accessory building in the wooded rear portion of the property. Commissioners noted: The structure is larger and slightly taller than code allows. The location is screened toward the back of the lot. City engineering and planning department memos were attached and accepted as part of the approval. No objections were reported from neighboring property owners, and the commission voted 4‑0 in favor of both variances, conditioned on compliance with the engineering and planning comments. The project now proceeds to Solon City Council’s Dec. 15, 2025 meeting for final action. Pardue was encouraged to attend in case council members or residents raise last‑minute questions. Solon Community Living Driveway Width Variances Approved 35000 & 35250 Home Court – Solon Community Living Case PCPC‑2025‑075 – Ward 6 The nonprofit Solon Community Living —a neighborhood for adults with developmental disabilities located off Clearwater Court in Solon—received approval for two driveway width variances at its new homes on Home Court : 35250 Home Court (Building 6): 7 ft. driveway width variance Purpose: provide paved access for a resident who uses a walker, so they can exit a vehicle onto pavement rather than grass. 35000 Home Court (Building 1): 14 ft. driveway width variance Purpose: widen a shared driveway to safely serve four first‑floor resident units and an upstairs caregiver suite, allowing vehicles to stage and pass without blocking each other. Representative Gary R. Biales , a board member of Solon Community Living and a development professional in senior housing, explained that: The 35250 driveway extension was poured to improve accessibility for a resident with mobility challenges. The 35000 driveway needed more width so caregivers, family visitors, and residents can safely get in and out without constant car shuffling. Biales acknowledged the work was completed before variances were obtained , and the chair noted that a fine is possible under city procedures. However, the city’s process allows the mayor to consider waiving or reducing such fines after a formal request, and Biales was adv