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Lowellville rejects zoning request
A proponent said he bore no grudge and would still try to find a location for his shop.
LOWELLVILLE — The village council turned down a request for a zone change so a furniture shop could open in a residential neighborhood.
The 2,000-square-foot block building at 58 W. Liberty St. is owned by Dorothy Talaganis.
Mark Kulewsky and Sam Matteran were planning to rent the building to open a light-manufacturing business, making hand-crafted furniture and antique reproductions.
But neighborhood residents said Monday at a public hearing they were worried about noise, traffic and fumes from the business.
“It affects our property most because we are right there next to the building, said JoAnn Donatelli, whose yard would be between the furniture shop and a vacant lot. She also was worried that the vacant lot’s owners might ask for a zone change to commercial as well, she said.
Others pointed out that the Stavich Bike Trail is nearby, and the business might pose a safety hazard to those who use it.
Others said they were worried about spot zoning — it would be hard for the village to deny other zone changes in the residential neighborhood if it approved this one.
“If you do spot zoning, you’re setting a precedent,” said resident Joe Flora.
Kulewsky, a village resident himself, said there would be no harmful fumes from the furniture- making, because he would be using water-based clear-coating. He also said that he was willing to help the village pay to widen the road for a safer access to the building, and he was willing to put fencing along the bike trail. He also pointed out that the trains that run through Lowellville all day long on the nearby tracks make more noise than the furniture-making equipment would.
Talaganis was not at the hearing. Her son, Dean Talaganis, an attorney from Cleveland, spoke on her behalf.
He said the building, for sale for at least five years, was once a church and then a self-storage building.
He said no one has been interested in the building for years until now.
“They’re people who want to do something good for the community. They’re local residents,” Talaganis said.
The council, saying it was concerned about possible impact on residents’ quality of life and on beginning spot zoning in the neighborhood, unanimously turned down the zone change. It voted to accept the opinion of the village zoning board, which had recommended against the change in November.
Mayor James Iudiciani said the village is pro-business, but had to consider the proposed location.
Kulewsky, who wants to quit the construction business to begin the furniture shop, said he won’t hold any grudges over being turned down. He said he will continue to look for a place to open the shop.
He said it isn’t likely he will appeal the council’s decision, though that option is open to him.