Avon City Council asked to OK special use permits for 2 new businesses, VFW

AVON — Two new businesses will bring 50 to 60 jobs with them to Avon if City Council approves requests for special use permits, Council members heard Monday during a nonvoting work session. The city Planning Commission recommended unanimously July 16 that Council grant a special use permit to allow tenant K1 Speed Inc. to operate an electric go-kart and amusement center business in the building at 1500 Nagel Road. The former Avon Bearing/Kaydon Bearings/SKF Bearing facility at the northwest corner of Chester and Nagel roads will become the third K1 Speed indoor electric go-karting location in Ohio. The others are in North Canton and in Hilliard near Columbus. City Planning & Economic Development Coordinator Pam Fechter said the business expects to hire 30 to 40 employees. The property currently is zoned industrial, and requires a special use permit from Council to operate as an indoor entertainment business, she said. "We're really excited to have something different and unique in that corner," Fechter said. The Planning Commission also recommended Council approve a special use permit to Boston Properties LLC so its tenant Java Ventures V can open a Biggby Coffee shop with indoor seating and a drive-thru at 36500 Detroit Road. The location is a former Commstar Credit Union. The Planning Commission voted unanimously 5-0 on July 16 to recommend City Council grant the special use permit. If the permit is approved by Council, Fechter said the store will operate 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Twenty-two employees will mean new payroll estimated at $400,000 to $500,000 annually, Fechter said. Franchise co-owner Ricardo Loera said his Griswold Road location in Elyria is No. 1 out of the more-than 400 Biggby Coffee locations nationwide. His son will manage the Avon store, he said. "To be a local owner, we're very proud of that and our reputation," Loera said. Finally, Council will consider Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7035's request for a special use permit to build a new 40-foot by 24-foot garage and outdoor storage facility on its property at 36950 Mills Road. The building will be used to store a 14-passenger van for its Honor Guard, a Jeep and a utility vehicle. All three special use permit requests must still be approved by City Council. Contact Dave O'Brien at (440) 329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com.