Avon Lake Council postpones decision on legislation tied to power plant redevelopment

Avon Lake City Council voted Monday night to postpone a decision on two pieces of legislation related to the former power plant site. The motion to postpone a decision on creating a lakefront mixed-use overlay district passed unanimously. The motion to postpone rezoning approximately 43 acres of land was approved 6-1, with Rob Shahmir, Ward 1, dissenting. The postponement came after changes were made to the city's code of ordinances. "I think it is important to give not just us but the general public extra time, a week, to digest these changes," said Matthew Reynolds, at-Large. Prior to Council's votes, multiple residents spoke up, raising concerns of the project's process. But residents and city officials were generally in favor of the changes. One of those individuals was Avon Lake resident Debbie Rutan. "It's so important to get it right the first time," resident Debbie Rutaon said of the project. "You cannot hit rewind. Please, listen to the people. Tap the brakes. Let's get it right the first time." Council members backed the choice to continue reviewing the changes to the code of ordinances, as well as the entire project. Previously, Shahmir had questioned the process of redeveloping the site for future housing, commerce and a public park. "As far as I'm concerned, that is the jewel of Lake Erie," Shahmir said. "That property has so much potential upside. But it still needs to be evaluated as far as the city goes. … This has to be a thorough assessment." However, Shahmir said the eventual final outcome of the power plant redevelopment would be a positive addition to the Avon Lake community. Avon Lake City Council plans to ponder the legislation of rezoning the land and creating an overlay district on May 18. Avon Lake officials have been discussing the redevelopment of the former power plant for years.The land — which is owned by the Avon Lake Environmental Redevelopment Group — is zoned for general industrial and single-family residential uses. If the legislative items were to be approved, one of the ordinances would rezone about 43 acres of land to create a special commerce district. According to Avon Lake's zoning map, the area in question is largely zoned for general industry. A small sliver to the west of the power plant site is zoned for single-family residency. If the ordinance were to be approved by Council, the special commerce district would unite a portion of land already zoned to that designation that lies to the east of the previous site of the Avon Lake Power Plant along Lake Road. The space of land that is already zoned for special commerce — about 20 acres — includes restaurants, a car dealership and a gas station. One of the selling points of the project for Avon Lake officials is the addition of a public park that would allow access to Lake Erie. Contact Garrett Looker at glooker@chroniclet.com.