Council allows variances for off-street parking, open space requirements

SOLON– Site plans for a proposed downtown microbrewery have been approved by Solon’s Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council.
Exterior elevations for 101 W. Main St., the former location of Joensy’s Restaurant, depict a one-story structure with 5,209 square feet and an exterior patio along South Iowa Street encompassing 1,400 square feet.
Passage by the council required several variances, but council members approved the site plan unanimously.
Faye Swift, co-owner of the yet un-named establishment, indicated work might begin in early November. “As soon as we have construction drawings we will be in go mode,” she noted in an email to the Economist.
The plan, she stated, is to get the brewery up and running so beer can be served upon opening, currently targeted at April 2013.
The building will feature an entrance on its northeast corner, similar to the restaurant it is replacing. The brewery will be in the back of the building, Swift said, on the south side. The kitchen will be to the west. “The interior will have natural elements mixed with modern touches,” Swift wrote. “Like barn wood and old timbers along with stained concrete floors. Open rafters, high peaks and two fireplaces.”
According to the site plan, 864 square feet will be dedicated to the brewery, with another 4,345 square feet divided between kitchen and seating.
A total of five modifications were made to the site plan, two requiring variances and three prompting slight design changes.
Variances were recommended by the planning and zoning (P&Z) commission for off-street parking and open space. According to city administrator Cassandra Lippincott, the city requires 25 percent of a site to be dedicated to open space. While the outdoor patio meets the requirement, she said, the intent of the ordinance was that property would be unencumbered by structures, and the concrete patio wouldn’t qualify.
The commission, however, felt a waiver for both should be granted because of the Main Street location of the proposed business.
The tight lot also prompted changes to water lines and stormwater drainage.
Public works director Scott Kleppe noted the city has a residential water line right on the west edge of the property, and because of the building’s footprint, it will have to be moved onto adjacent land. The city will also divide the proposed business and three surrounding homes between two existing service lines, he noted. The city will absorb the cost of moving the line.
Because of the shallow depth of a new stormwater intake at the corner of Main and Iowa, the developers will be modifying the slope of the roof in an attempt to redirect water.
The P&Z also recommended lowering a light on west side of the building.