Highland Medical Center Rezoning Will Not Be On Ballot

An issue to rezone property for Highland Medical Center will not be approved in time for the fall general election ballot. The deadline to submit issues to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections is Wednesday.

Councilman Robert Mastrangelo, a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, said commission members had issues with the maps that were presented and that building owner Dr. Daniel Cavolo wasn't planning to do anything with the Brainard Road property for a year anyway.

Although disappointed, Cavolo said he will appear again before the Planning and Zoning Commission in hopes of getting an issue on the ballot next spring. He would like to extend the parking lot about 35 feet into property zoned residential in order to add about 20 spaces.

"They should support me," Cavolo said about city officials. "I'm trying to help my business. That's how you help improve your community."

He said there was an issue about a utility easement that a surveyor knew about, but didn't include on plans. "That was one of the things holding things up," he said.

As part of the plan, Cavolo offered to donate land closest to area residences to the city for use as a park. He said still plans to make that offer.

The Highland Medical Center lot has 56 spaces, which is short of the estimated 75 to 80 needed to meet city codes. Cavolo said he would like the additional parking so employees do not have to use the former Catalano's lot across the street.