On October 27, 1980, former Common Pleas Court Judge Lee
Sinclair spoke before North Canton City Council regarding a proposed change to
the City’s zoning code regarding home businesses in residential neighborhoods.
At the
time, Judge Sinclair was a member of North Canton’s Planning Commission and had
voted against the proposed zone change. Judge Sinclair explains in the minutes of
the Public Hearing that he was present not as a member of the Planning
Commission but as a concerned citizen.
Judge
Sinclair explained nearly 34 years ago that, “We must remember that zoning is
designed to make for an orderly transition, an orderly development of our
community. Most of the people here in North Canton come here because of its
residential nature. We have very defined lines of residential use and
commercial use. I think it’s important that we maintain those lines….We live
here because we enjoy the residential nature of our particular home sites” (end
quote).
Any
expansion of the South parking lot of the former Hoover Company will not allow
residents to enjoy the residential nature of their homes.
It would be
nice to document at this time what agreements were put in place decades ago
when the Hoover Company first built the South parking lot but those agreements have
not been discovered. But common sense and decency tell us all that this
proposed expansion overburdens the City’s infrastructure, roads, and storm
sewers; intrudes on the enjoyment of nearby homes and the serenity of nearby
neighborhoods; and devalues residential properties already hard hit from the
downturn in the economy.
The heavily
wooded area separating nearby homes has served as a buffer from the activities
of the 78 acre Hoover property from the time this city was called New Berlin.
Who would
ever dream there would be the remotest possibility that there would be an
attempt to develop property that is laden with underground coal mines? Not my
in-laws who, in 1946, bought the home my wife and I now share. Not Stark Parks
who, just two years ago, spent thousands of taxpayers’ dollars putting in a
walking trail that will now have to be abandoned.
The
concerns I have as a nearby homeowner regarding this proposed expansion are the
same concerns you would have if you resided near such a development.
The
requested expansion of the South parking lot when totaled with the current number
of parking spots at the YMCA will result in total parking in this immediate
area of over 1,100 parking spots.
I would urge this body to review
the development plans of the Hoover District in its entirety instead of in the
piecemeal fashion that is taking place.
I would say to the developers,
Maple Street Commerce, that their plans to repurpose the former Hoover District
would be greatly enhanced and better serve their tenants and the City if the
thousands of parking spots on the North side of the property were utilized.
An entrance
on the North side to a common corridor would be a shorter walking distance for
employees of the various tenants, would allow them to get in out of the weather
more quickly, and would not require them to cross a busy street.
The entire
grove of trees must be maintained as a buffer. To paraphrase Judge Sinclair, my
wife and I would like to “enjoy the residential nature” of our home, to the
extent that is possible.
Lastly, I
have a petition containing nearly ninety names of North Canton residents who
are opposed to any expansion of the South parking lot.
Developments
such as this require more than a token tree or a few bushes for a buffer. I ask
that you turn aside this proposed parking lot expansion lest you accelerate the
decline of an already dying neighborhood.
Sincerely,
Chuck Osborne
