Planning Review of Giant Eagle Plans Could Be Done By March

The developer hoping to build a new in Solon continues to submit its plans to .

If the project remains on schedule, the Solon Planning Commission could be prepared to vote on the project Feb. 28, setting up city council for a March vote.

The planning commission is expected to discuss the project again at its meeting at 7:30 p.m. tonight at City Hall. The safety committee is expected to discuss aspects of the project, including traffic, during a special meeting Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Developer Echo Solon is working on a tight schedule, since the company must receive city approval by April 12 to complete the purchase with the shopping center's current owners.

Echo Solon's plans call for demolishing about 70 percent of the existing plaza and building a freestanding, 92,600 square foot Giant Eagle at the south side of the project site, located at the corner of SOM Center and Aurora roads.

The other 62,000 square feet of the plaza woud be upgraded and given a new facade and three new buildings will be constructed, including a Get-Go Gas Station.

Solon officials are supporting the project, calling it the first major upgrade of a shopping plaza in Solon history and a key part of the city's master plan.

The project needs roughly 20 variances or other approvals from the Solon Planning Commission, and ultimately other solon city council committees and the full city council, before the developers can build.

In January, some a number of concerns about the project, including the lack of buffers between the shopping plaza and their properties, stormwater runoff, noise, traffic and others.

If approved, the new grocery store is expected to .

Come back to Solon Patch for more coverage of the new Giant Eagle project as the story develops.