"ONE AND ONLY" adele

Well, the planning Commission passed both resolutions concerning the Steele Mansion Thursday night. Art and Carol have both told me that they had the blessing of the administration on the goals of this project. That being said, then why stop at 34 restrictions… why not have at least 40?

We could have added that electricity be shut off at 11:00pm and no flushing toilets after midnight. No traffic into or out of the Inn after dusk. No omelets except on the Sabbath. Toss in a few more. Why not?

Let’s put up roadblocks because a few city residents oppose this.

Mr. James Callender (who lives next door to the Inn) is against it. He said there should be no spot zoning in this neighborhood. Then he mentioned that many neighbors are against the project, but for some reason, do not want to come forward to oppose the rezoning. Maybe they just agree with you to be polite and do not want to upset you any more then you already are. He also stated that Lake Erie College does not look fondly on the project either. The city should follow up on this to find out if someone is telling the truth or just blowing smoke.

I checked… when Mr. Callender purchased his property, the Steele mansion was already a 15-unit apartment building. He was in constant conflict with the apartment management on the goings on at the building. Let's remember Hal Werner. He purchased a home next to a bar and when things happen that happen at all bars… he was upset. How many of you said ‘what do you expect living next to a bar?’

To be honest, if Steele Mansion had been a single family residence and had never been an apartment building I might understand Mr. Callender’s side of opposing this… but it was a 15 unit apartment BUSINESS.

Am I being hard on Mr. Callender? Well, one statement I remember he made was "Are we destroying a neighborhood, a very nice residential neighborhood because of a slick presentation… because of desperation to save a building?" Mr. Callender, how many single-family residences are currently in this neighborhood and how many apartments and businesses?

One resident voiced his opinion that his neighborhood had turned into many parking lots. He's right... so this is where we draw the line?

Carol and Art Shamakian are quality people wanting to do quality work on bringing this mansion back to life. Others, as well as myself have worried "what if it fails?"
Art assured me the Shamakians will still have a Christmas no matter what. That's good enough for me. It is their time and money and Painesville should be 100% behind them.

Now Mr. Callender, I do not wish to sound tough on you. Please give thought to what would bring more value and prestige to your home and neighborhood… a 15-unit apartment building or a first class Inn. Don't believe me… check with a few real estate agents.

Mr. Callender, you and I will probably not be around in 25 years… do we want to be remembered as people who chose an apartment building or people who backed a great first step in bringing Painesville back?

The only restriction I would like to see is less interference from the administration on this project.