The Observation Deck

The neighbors of Grace and Cohasset protected their streets and their neighborhood last night when they scored a major victory at the Planning Commission meeting last night.

In the words of Mary Grodek:

"We won last night at the City Planning Commission meeting about the Drug Mart encroachment. After an almost four and a half hour meeting the commission voted to DENY the conditional-use permit to Drug Mart for the two residential properties which were the apartment building and the thirteen and a half feet (which widened to 20 feet at the back) for the first residence, the 1899 house. So they cannot expand their commercial footprint there.

The commission did approve the conditional use for the lot on Cohasset which has been a parking lot for decades. So they renewed that and allowed that to go forward.

So we are completely thrilled and grateful that the Commission listened to all of the neighbors who showed up and spoke so eloquently..."

Congratulations Grace and Cohasset neighbors. When all was said and done, it seems that it had to do with Drug Mart having to give up 8 parking spaces in a lot that will now hold 79 cars, but more details will be coming in.

Again, the neighbors stressed that they are not anti-development and that they are all planning to hang in there for the Next Steps, which definitely include welcoming Drug Mart as a good neighbor if they can all continue to work together.

The next meeting is the July 12 Architectural Board of Review meeting, which is on Thursday, July 12, and is also a public meeting which will be well attended by the Grace and Cohasset neighbors and their fellow Lakewoodite supporters.

The Grace and Cohasset neighbors have been impressed with the Lakewood Planning Commission and the Architectural Board of Review from the beginning of this process. They would love it if fellow Lakewoodite neighbors would attend these meetings, and meet them, and learn about the process and how to WORK WITH the organizations that have already proven themselves to be responsible and accessible.

In the words of Mary Grodek, "Rock on!"

Betsy Voinovich

I second the Rock ON!! Great news!!

I am incredibly surprised and thrilled to hear this news! I just hope that Drugmart does not still plan to tare down the apartment building which is still in good condition.

Congratulations to all those in the neighborhood, you did a great job and it paid off.

This is great news! Congratulations to all those who have researched, coordinated the neighborhood, attended meetings and made your concerns known.

Christina

This is great news! Congratulations to all those who have researched, coordinated the neighborhood, attended meetings and made your concerns known.

Christina

Great news, indeed.

How many people do you think have personal experience dealing with commercial attempts to creep up residential streets? Seems to me a whole bunch of us who live between Athens and the Railroad tracks have this battle in common. And it seems like quality of life in those most walkable parts of the city are one of the city's major selling points.

http://gyroscopethattakesyouplaces.word ... back-yard/

One thing that is underlying but not clear in this particular process is motive---

To wit: Drug Mart wanted to expand and make more money in a good market. Commendable motives.

They chose a site, made some plans as to how this was to be achieved, making more profits as compared to their current location.

Drug Mart and other similar stores obviously have certain criteria, such as square footage versus parking, etc. that must be met in order to make profitability more likely.

Now, do they come to a situation in Lakewood, for instance, and think-we need X parking but would really like X plus (the apartment and house).

So, Drug Mart thinks they have to bargain?

Or, are we reading too many ulterior motives into this whole process?

Regardless of the answer, the neighborhood certainly has to be commended for their maintenance of community and Lakewood values.

Stan Austin