A recent, controversial rezoning request has prompted Planning Director Jeff Kaiser to begin drafting a new zoning classification. This revision would aid the development of small pockets of undeveloped areas of the city.
The request by the Stop’n Go owner Becky Shot well to rezone a small parcel of land of College Street near the intersection with state Route 57 from residential to commercial spurred the debate.
If approved, that proposal would have allowed the site to be home to a new store, gasoline station and a car wash. However, property owners abutting the land in question raised concerns about the type of business that was planned for the acreage.
Shotwell revised the plans based upon some of those concerns, but the Planning Commission recommended that City Council not rezone the land after a public hearing. Shotwell eventually withdrew the rezoning request and the council cancelled its planned public hearing on the issue.
Kaiser informed the council's Economic Development and Planning Committee he intents to "modernize the zoning code" on College Street. Kaiser contends the land that had been proposed for rezoning is "probably not suited for residential."
According to Kaiser, some parts of the zoning code including the classifications of C-1 and C-3 have not been updated for 50 years. He noted the C-3 areas near the land, which had been proposed for rezoning, do not meet C-3 regulations.
Kaiser explained an eight-acre parcel on the south side of College Street, across from the land that had been proposed for rezoning, may be incorporated into the new classification. Other areas throughout the city may also be included under the new regulations Kaiser explained.
Potential growth
One business expected to open in Wadsworth is Brubaker's Pub. It is expected to open in early January in the vacant building at 210 Great Oaks Trail which once housed the bowling alley, according to Brubaker's owner, Scott Brewer.
Brewer said this would be the eighth Brubaker's Pub, but the first in Medina County. Brewer said he does not expect to reopen the bowling alley but another party may be interested in doing that.
Brewer said he expects to serve lunch and dinner with hours of operation from 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m.
Harry Stark, assistant service director in charge of development, told the committee a company has expressed interest in using part of the former K-Mart building, however Stark said he was not ready to reveal the name of the company.
Stark also noted a restaurant is interested in the Wadsworth Crossings area, but also was not ready to reveal the name of that company.
The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. on Jan. 14 on a proposal to rezone land on West Street to provide for a restaurant directly behind the Sunoco Station at 802 High Street.
