Environmental group speaks out against rezoning of former Lorain landfill

LORAIN — Rezoning for a motorsports complex came under fire at a public hearing Monday. A proposal to develop the former Cromwell Park landfill by McCrone Motorsports would destroy habitats and green space on the city's east side, according to members of the Black River Audubon Society. The plan requires the city to rezone the land from light industrial to B-2 business. Rob Swindell, president of Black River Audubon Society and a deputy auditor with the city, said more than 150 species have been recorded at Cromwell Park, with 43 nesting. "The project is called a win-win," he said. "I suppose that's a matter of perspective. Cutting down trees and destroying habitats feels like a lose-lose to us." Swindell is also a freelance columnist for The Chronicle-Telegram's outdoor page, writing about birds. On Sunday, the environmental group issued a news release announcing its opposition. Cromwell Park has been designated as an "Important Bird Area," by the group, and the 204-acre site is one of the last large green spaces along the Black River in the city. Kathleen DiTullio, of Oberlin and another BRAS member, echoed Swindell's concerns. She said the Lorain Port Authority's riverboat tours' main attraction is the blue heron colony of 200 to 300 birds — roughly 800 feet from the proposed racing site. She questioned what guarantees the birds wouldn't move elsewhere, given the noise from the racing track. Fellow BRAS member Danielle Squire said via email many of the birds seen at Cromwell Park are considered rare, adding it was painful to see greenspace destroyed when there are other locations available. Lorain Port Authority Executive Director Tom Brown said there appeared to be some confusion on what was being rezoned for McCrone Motorsports. Only three parcels of the former landfill were up for discussion, while the larger acerage BRAS was concerned about is part of the Riverbend Commerce Park to the west. Even on the landfill site, there are wetlands that won't be touched, he said, and the Port Authority and the developers are in contact with the Lorain County Metro Parks to balance the development with the environmental needs. As it stands, Cromwell Park is not well maintained, he said, as an annual volunteer cleanup regularly pulls junk cars, tires, dumped garbage and other items out of the foliage. As for the herons, he said the colony was located there when there were two active steel mills there. "I think balance is going to be key moving forward," Brown said. Lorain Storm Water Manager Kate Golden said via email the city will be placing the heron colony under a protective easement. Also discussed Monday was rezoning parcels at the southeast corner of Broadway and West 21st Street, the former Prime Time Motors site, from B-2 business to mixed use. Planning and Zoning Administrator Drew Crawford said the city has received interest from EDEN Inc. in Cleveland about possibly building an apartment complex on the corner lot, with retail on the first floor. EDEN works to help provide affordable housing, focusing on those facing housing insecurities or homelessness. It is one of the partner organizations on the permanent supportive housing facility being built in Elyria at East Bridge and East River streets. Both rezonings will have to go to full council for approval. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.