by Lauren Krupar
Hudson Hub-Times Associate Editor
Boston Heights voters are facing two issues on the November ballot that could determine the future of the village.
As the result of two referendums, residents have the opportunity Nov. 6 to decide whether "big box" retail should be allowed in the village and whether more than 65 acres in the former Boston Heights County Club should be rezoned as a retail business district.
In Issue 51, voters will decide whether to rezone a 66-acre parcel of land at the northwest corner of the intersection of Route 8 and Hines Hill Road from residential to retail business, according to language from the Summit County Board of Elections.
Issue 52 asks if an ordinance amending the village's comprehensive zoning code should be approved. The amendment would create a new conditional use that would allow for limited enlarged retail buildings -- also called "big box" stores -- in a retail business district.
The issues involve the future of acreage at Hines Hill Road and Route 8 and zoned residential. If approved, the property that was once the Boston Heights Country Club could be developed to include one 215,000-square-foot, two-story retail building and one 125,000-square-foot, one-story building per 50 acres in the parcel.
In April, Boston Heights Village Council approved 4-1 an ordinance to rezone a portion of the former country club to allow for retail purposes. Council member Teri Slane, who is on the ballot for Boston Heights mayor against Council president pro-tem Bill Goncy, voted against the measure.
Council in May also voted to allow large retail uses along the Route 8 corridor and in the village's business district. Slane also was the sole vote against the measure.
In May, Boston Heights Council candidate Scott Foss presented 178 signatures to Village Hall with the goal of placing a referendum on the ballot to reverse Council's decision. The referendum became the two ballot issues.
Boston Heights Property Investment, the developers of the property, have since filed a complaint in the Summit County Court of Common Pleas alleging the referendum would make the property unusable for development.
A status conference in the case is set for Nov. 27.
E-mail: lkrupar@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3146