Signs Supporting Oakwood Rezoning Vandalized

Someone spray-painted more than 20 signs supporting , sometime Wednesday night.

Hennes Paynter Communications sent out a press release this afternoon with photos attached of the vandalized signs. An unknown number of people painted “lie” in the center of the signs that read, “Yes 96! $700,000 in new revenues ... costs us nothing.” The 23 signs are still mounted on a fence along Warrensville Center Road between Cedar and Mayfield roads, a property line of Oakwood, Hennes Paynter reported.

"It's one thing to disagree and put forth a robust debate before the voters and quite another thing to sneak out in the middle of the night and engage in vandalism," said Alan Melamed, spokesman for the Yes on Issue 96 campaign.

First Interstate Properties of Lyndhurst, the developer that owns the 154-acre Oakwood land, was still filing a complaint and report with the South Euclid Police Department around 3:30 p.m. today, according to the police department. The officer said there are no suspects at this time.  

First Interstate is known for developing Legacy Village, Willoughby Commons, Steelyard Commons and Avon Commons, and plans to call the space "Oakwood Commons."

The land is currently zoned for residential development. First Interstate’s plans call for a mix of parkland and residential and commercial properties — 69 acres of green space, 63 acres of retail and 22 acres of high-end residential properties. The land must be rezoned for the project to be completed.

its side of the land in June, but residents . After a back-and-forth battle between , which wants the property converted into a park, and First Interstate, the that South Euclid residents should vote on whether the land is rezoned.

First Interstate Oct. 18.

“The preliminary concept for the Cleveland Heights parcel calls for a campus setting with a variety of living options for older adults, along with therapy and wellness facilities, retail, restaurants and civic use,” according to a press release.

The proposed development will include apartments for “active, healthy adults over the age of 55” and a retirement community with independent and assisted living options.

If Issue 96 fails, Mitchell Schneider, president of First Interstate, said 350 homes could be built on the property.

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