Petitions to Change Local Business Zoning Being Reviewed

Law Director Tim Paluf said he's uncertain whether petitions from developer Lance Osborne were submitted in time to make the Nov. 8 general election ballot.

Osborne, president of Osborne Capital Group, wants to change local business zoning codes to include gas stations as a use. That would allow plans to go forward for a Giant Eagle GetGo gas station/convenience store and another 17,265 square feet of retail space at site of the former Catalano's grocery store at Wilson Mills and Brainard roads.

The petitions were submitted on Aug. 2. Paluf said they have to be held 10 days for public inspection before they are sent to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections to ensure they contain enough valid signatures.

Although today is the deadline to submit issues to the board of elections for the Nov. 8 ballot, Paluf said there are questions about city charter and elections board language regarding timeliness of petitions.

"They're arguing that they submitted to us on time," Paluf said.

However, he added that the board of elections might have difficulty completing work it needs to do in time to have the issue included on ballots, especially considering the early deadlines required for absentee ballots to be mailed to voters.