Lourdes expansion awaits another hearing

No action taken on plans to expand Sylvania university

5/21/2012

Sylvania City Council tonight took no action on a proposed Lourdes University facility expansion, and instead, scheduled another meeting to discuss issues and concerns with the proposal.

The university has proposed an 11.4-acre expansion that would include an academic center and a 47,000-square-foot athletic and recreation facility between Brint Road and Convent Boulevard.

During a public hearing tonight, council scheduled a Committee of the Whole meeting for 6 p.m., June 4, which is 90 minutes before the start of its regular meeting, to take more comments from university officials, as well as neighborhood opponents who fear noise and traffic congestion from the athletic facility.

About 50 people tonight attended the public hearing before council to discuss the issue.

At the June 4 meeting, council will also hear from the city’s police chief and service director to address traffic concerns.

The Sylvania Planning Commission last week recommended that council approve the expansion with modifications, including switching the locations of the academic center with that of the athletic facility to the south. The commission also recommended that a walkway through the site be moved 20 to 30 feet to the east to decrease foot traffic through residential areas.

Also, in relation to the issue, two council members have recused themselves from involvement with the proposal.

Council member Doug Hayman, said a partner at his firm has been retained by Lourdes.

Additionally, Todd Milner, the president of council, has recused himself because his wife is an adjunct instructor at the university.