Solon Council Rejects Zoning Charter Change, Honors Coach Jim McQuaid

Solon City Council met August 17 for a night that mixed celebration with a sharp policy fight. Members honored longtime football coach Jim McQuaid, welcomed a major employer relocation and then voted down a proposed charter amendment that would have let council, rather than voters, approve certain residential zoning changes. Mayor Edward H. Kraus opened the meeting with a proclamation for McQuaid, who spent 42 years coaching high school football, including 32 as a head coach and 17 in Solon. McQuaid was recently inducted into the Ohio Football Coaches Hall of Fame. Kraus read a nomination letter from a former player and noted the coach's record of 219 wins and 119 losses. McQuaid kept his own remarks short, thanking the community and crediting his wife, Kathy, and the players, parents and coaches who supported him along the way. Charter amendment on residential zoning fails 4 to 1 The night's biggest agenda item was a public hearing on Ordinance 2026101, a proposed charter amendment that would have changed how residential zoning district and use changes are approved in Solon. Council had tabled the same question at its August 3 meeting rather than vote on it that night. Under the current charter, voters must approve certain residential zoning changes at the ballot box. The amendment would have shifted that authority to a simple council majority instead. Several residents spoke against the change during the public hearing. Gary Kelly told council that a previous letter to the body claiming citizen protections would remain intact if the amendment passed was misleading, since residents would lose their right to vote on the matter. Denise Jablin said the proposed charter language was difficult for an average reader to follow and argued that Solon's 900 businesses and dense zoning code deserved a simpler explanation before any vote. Matt Folds and Chris Bryant both raised concerns about removing decisions from the broader electorate and placing them with a smaller group of elected officials. Council members Mike Kan and Robert Pelunis spoke against the amendment before the vote, both citing concerns about reducing residents' voting power. Pelunis noted he had also voted against placing a related ward veto question on the ballot and called the zoning amendment a bad precedent. Council President Brian Laubscher struck a different tone, telling colleagues he did not want to suppress residents' right to vote and that he would rather see the question decided directly by voters. Laubscher still cast the lone yes vote on the roll call. The amendment failed on a roll call of Kan, Meany, Pelunis and Shimits voting no and Laubscher voting yes. Ward veto question already headed to the November ballot Separately, residents referenced an earlier council decision to place a proposed change to Solon's ward veto process on the November ballot. Under current rules, a ward representative can veto certain zoning actions within their ward. Several speakers, including Chris Bryant, urged residents to study that measure closely before voting in November, saying it would effectively reduce a neighborhood's ability to block unwanted development in its own ward. Fed Pro variances approved on Planning Commission consent Council approved two items on the Planning Commission consent agenda. The first covered 34350 Solon Road, where FPC International, doing business as Fed Pro, received several variances tied to a new headquarters site, including adjustments to loading space, parking, landscaping and sidewalk requirements. The application also included a request to rename Franklin Park Boulevard to Fed Pro Drive. The Planning Commission had already approved the variances and site plan, and council approved the consent item without objection. The second consent item involved 36080 Pettibone Road, where Carl Holtz received a 2.5 foot fence height variance in the front yard. That item passed the Planning Commission by a 2 to 1 vote and cleared council on consent as well. Consent agenda covers contracts, insurance and equipment Council passed a lengthy consent agenda under suspension of the rules. Highlights included closing out a $303,652.64 contract with Terrace Construction Company for the 2024 sanitary and storm system repair program and a $146,626.33 closeout with Petty Farms for the 2025 version of the same program. Council also closed out a $599,143.89 contract with Trimore Corporation for the Miles Road retaining wall replacement. Other approved items authorized a citywide traffic signal timing study with GPD Group, accepted final paperwork from the Ohio Department of Transportation for the US 422 and Harper Road interchange project, and approved the purchase of a new Life Pack 35 cardiac monitor for the fire department. Council also closed out a $441,761.50 contract for the Grantwood Golf Course pump station renovation and approved right of way acquisition tied to the Som Center and Pettibone Road intersection widening project. Finance