Update On "Residents Say Enough Is Enough"�: Drug Mart Revises Plans But More Is Needed To Protect Neighborhood

At their last meeting, the Architectural Board of Review voted to defer voting on the Discount Drug Mart’s proposed plan until the next ABR meeting in July. According to Mary Grodek, Grace resident, and one of the leaders in the Grace/Cohasset group of neighbors, this vote was in response to a request from their group and other supporting residents.

“They had a very full docket and they listened very respectfully,” Grodek said of the Board. She said that eight members of the group spoke, but there were many more in attendance.

The Board asked Drug Mart to come back with revised plans that include better architectural design details, more and better landscaping, and even, at Councilwoman Madigan’s request, turning the whole buiding 90 degrees so that more of it lies along Detroit. This, reported Grodek, could help considerably with better desighn and flow of the drive-through, would move the dumpster and loading dock further from the houses, and reduce the amount of trucks, noise and exhaust on Cohasset.

Mary Grodek said that their group of neighbors could use the input of other Lakewoodites interested in supporting their cause, and reiterated, “What happens on our street can happen on any street in Lakewood, the City needs to know that we are interested and will be proactive in protecting our neighborhoods and making sure that development is responsible.“

To support the Grace/Cohasset neighbors ask that similarly-minded neighbors attend, and comment at the July Planning Commission meeting and the July Architectural Board of Review meeting. Discount Drug Mart will be presenting further revised plans at each of these meetings.

The group asks that if anybody out there has other ways to strengthen and protect the character, safety and livability of our neighborhoods, that they respond to this article in the Observer, by submitting their own stories and ideas. (Go to www.lakewoodobserver.com, click on Member Center, sign in, and submit your story.) Or by posting in the Grace/Cohasset thread on the Lakewood Observation Deck.

She also points out that citizens should go to the new Community Vision meetings and speak up!

• Monday, 6 - 7:15 p.m. Commercial Development (University of Akron Lakewood Community Room, 1415 Warren Road)
• Monday, 7:15 - 8:30 p.m. Community Wellness (UA)
• Wednesday, 6 - 7:15 p.m. Safety (UA)
• Wednesday, 6 - 7:15 p.m. Education and Culture (Library)
• Wednesday, 7:15 - 8:30 p.m. Housing (UA)
• Wednesday, 7:15 - 8:30 p.m. Mobility (Library

Mrs. Grodek points, once again, to the Planning and Zoning Code Ordinance that protects residents and neighborhoods in Lakewood: Section1173.02(b)(4):The City encourages conservation, preservation, redevelopment, and revitalization of residential neighborhoods to preserve their unique environments and for the public welfare of the City. The City acknowledges as a matter of public policy that the preservation and protection of residential neighborhoods is required for the health, safety and welfare of the people.

She suggests that all residents become familiar with it.