The Observation Deck

Hello -

Lakewood has been contacted by a residential development company interested in redeveloping three properties on the west side of Sloan Avenue for 19 townhomes.

As is the case with any potential development, this exciting opportunity will go through a series of public input and discussion sessions, including community meetings and board/commission hearings. Everyone's input is important.

So, please join Mayor Summers, the planning and development team and me on Wednesday, July 6, 7:00 p.m., at St. Peter's Episcopal Church (18001 Detroit Avenue - corner of West Clifton and Detroit).

Homes on Sloane, Edanola, etc. have received the attached.

Yours in service,

David W. Anderson
Councilman, Ward 1
216-789-6463

Hi,
Councilman Anderson, any chance you could talk them into moving their development down the road a few houses to that empty lot? No demolition needed!

Hey, Don.

I hear ya.

I am sure residents will ask for an update regarding the emptied lots/project down the street and will do my best to post an answer here.

Yours in service,
David W. Anderson

The footprint of the development.


What the Metro Luxury Town Homes are suppose to look like.


The developer answers a question from Kathy Haber about "Why don't you use the
empty spot the Foran Group had cleared."


Packed house in the basement of St. Peters


The players: Mayor Michael Summers who is on record saying he loves new development.
He grew up less than 4 blocks away.
The Developer:Of course he is for it, and has snagged 4 properties that have been on the
market for nearly 15 years.
Dru Siley: Pro this development. Sees it as good for city and neighborhood.
David Anderson: Sees it as good but wants the residents comfortable.
Which brings us to Clarke Unger. Clark's family was nearly uprooted, and forced to move
from their gorgeous family home over looking the river during the WestEnd debacle.Then
nearly forced to move because of the cliffs, now this will come up right next to his house.

A classic case in a built out city. Nearly everything will upset something. But certain
families in this city certainly must be under siege. Most families on the WestEnd, right
now the residents of Bonnieview, Edwards, Ethel, Hall and Woodward, the families of
Arthur, and Lakeland. I know these meetings are here to calm the residents, but we must
get proactive.

For all of that, this fits in nicely, should add to the property value of homes around the
area, and seems like a win, win when you consider what is there.

Full report later from the LO people at the meeting.

.

Hi,
Is the conversation going to be posted somewhere? Maybe you have a video?

Where will those people park? How many units?

Not all people agree Lakewood is a built out community. Lakewood can expand to the north whenever it wants. So many other cities have done it (as close as Cleveland and as far away as Dubai).

The design looks like it would fit with the area, but I'd like to know more.

Donald Farris wrote:Hi,
Is the conversation going to be posted somewhere? Maybe you have a video?

Where will those people park? How many units?

Not all people agree Lakewood is a built out community. Lakewood can expand to the north whenever it wants. So many other cities have done it (as close as Cleveland and as far away as Dubai).

The design looks like it would fit with the area, but I'd like to know more.

Don

I was just there for photos. We have a ton of input coming in on this from many people you know from the past.

I believe it is 4 units, so the foot print is nearly the same for traffic. I think this and the Cliffs were responsible
development. Rick bought the property fair and square, and they new what was going in and were at the
ground breaking. Clark's parents were there too.

I think this is pretty non-obtrusive, fits in nicely, develops valuable property, from stuff not selling. I am all
for responsible development along the lake and the river. It is premium land that can be increased in value
at a level we can control as a city to not burn out the trends.

If the Cliffs and this got built. Clark's parents would be able to live as long as they want, and/or have a
tremendous nest egg. They certainly deserve that and more for all they have done for this city and country.

FWIW


.

You know, Don, now that I am studying this, 2.5 of the 4 units have let's say interesting views which could
affect if they sell. Renters have slightly more realistic expectations.

Going through some photos, back in a bit...

This would be the view from the front porch of unit 3 and 4.

#4 would have the river and yacht club, nice view.


Units 1 and 2 would look at this. And down the streets to the McDonalds which might be moving.


.

It's more than four units, btw. There are eight alone facing the river: four at the river, and then four more 'above' it. Then, there are 11 townhomes facing outwards and sharing what appears to be a common courtyard/driveway.

Hi,
Thanks, Ms. Molinski for the design plan. I thought it had to be bigger. 27 units! and each will be with their own 2 car "attached" garage. WOW! Will those suspended units be earthquake rated? How many units were planned for the failed Foran project.

David Anderson's original item in this thread said 19 townhomes.

Jill Jusko wrote:David Anderson's original item in this thread said 19 townhomes.

Right, it is 19. He did say that in the original post. But then people kept referring to it being four and that was incorrect.

Based on other information I read, Mr. Farris, I think the main issue at hand for this development currently is the site. They are determining if the soil on the site is stable enough for the proposed without doing a ton of site work to make it so. That could change the cost of these units significantly.

That said, I really do like the overall aesthetic and planning of this development and look forward to hearing more.

Hi,
OK, I'm sorry, I see your point there are 19 units. I just added up your numbers not seeing you had some units counted twice.

Thanks!

Hi,
My concerns with the development is:
1). How will this impact the Ungers, the neighbor of the proposal. I'd like to hear his concerns and the developer addressing those to the Ungers satisfaction. The Ungers are great Americans, great Lakewoodians and really good people in general. I'd listen to their concerns.

2). What steps are in place to see this developer doesn't start ripping things down and then stop. That has happened with the Forans project. The actions of the Forans has cost the City and the Schools in tax revenues. Right? Can the Law Dept. come up with some agreement that protects the taxpayers from this possibility.

3). Could there be a lot of extra traffic into Clifton Park? 38 extra cars driving back and forth twice a day could really overload those quiet streets.

4). Unsafe construction could make that cliff unstable and that could damage the road and other people homes (Ungers and others) and the new owners of these condos. This type of damage could be longer term in becoming evident and the developer could create the problem and be long gone before its full effect.

5). Is the developer the same one that wanted to develop in the Mayor's backyard? If that's the case why not do this at Forans' folly.

I do agree the aesthetics look nice.

JMHO
JMHO