WARREN Council OKs plan to change zoning

One owner said his building still might close.
By AMANDA C. DAVIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The city is making it a little easier for Dan Cadle to keep the doors open to his Riverside Square building.
Council resurrected and passed an ordinance Wednesday from last year that it never voted on, to change the zoning from residential to commercial for the building which used to house St. Joseph Riverside Hospital.
Legislators voted 9-1, with Councilman Gary Fonce, D-at-large, opposing the measure, saying it leaves the city open to a possible lawsuit.
Considering closing: Cadle has said he might close the building because he's losing money and the city has been inflexible, denying a few past requests for the zone change.
The building houses social service agencies, professional offices and organizations such as SCOPE, Fairhaven and a VA Clinic.
Cadle has said there's still a chance he might close the building for other reasons he has not specified. He was unavailable Wednesday night.
Many nearby residents are worried the change will ruin the neighborhood, even though some say Cadle has been a good neighbor.
The measure is in place temporarily, however.
Council introduced legislation Wednesday to draft a new commercial zoning classification with restricted uses that would apply to businesses like Cadle's.
Restrictions wanted: Residents have said they want restrictions against such things as a boarding house, funeral home, car dealership and outside storage.
Cadle said he'll apply for that zoning classification when council approves it. A public hearing will be April 24.
A veteran spoke Wednesday, saying 28,000 veterans use the facility and fought hard to get one in Warren.
Some legislators, including Bob Marchese, D-at-large, said they don't want to see agencies and jobs relocated and trust that Cadle will honor his word to seek restricted commercial zoning.
Fonce said it was a tough decision to make and feels the city could wind up in court if other businesses seek zoning changes and are denied.
davis@vindy.com