New Kroger store gets nod from Sylvania plan panel

9/16/2004

Plans for a Kroger store and three smaller buildings at Centennial and Sylvania-Metamora roads were approved last night by the Sylvania Planning Commission by a 3-1 vote, despite the objections of several residents.

Though his was the dissenting vote, Marshall Bennett, chairman of the commission, said developers had done everything asked of them to minimize any intrusion into the quality of life of the neighborhood.

However, he said he parked behind the relatively new Kroger at Sylvania Avenue and King Road recently, and the noise from the mechanical component of the building bothered him.

Because of that, he said, "I am not willing to impose a change" in the zoning of the area.

Most of those who spoke agreed the developers had made changes to accommodate neighbors' complaints, but a supermarket and the other buildings planned for the site would be a detriment to the area.

Jeff Reny asked the commission members to put themselves in the place of those who live in the area. "Would you want to look out on this?" he asked.

Jackie Monasmith, a member of the commission, said 30 years ago, there was almost nothing in the area, "but there were people out there then, and they didn't want you," she said of those who now live in developments at the west end of the city and in the township.

She said a portion of the property at the northwest portion of the intersection is zoned for businesses and is on major roadways. Ms. Monasmith suggested it should have been assumed by property owners that the land eventually would be used for commercial purposes.

Patrick Kriner, a plan panel member, said the project seemed appropriate for what he said is one of the last pieces of land left available in the city "for this size development."

Mayor Craig Stough had said at an earlier meeting he thought the development was appropriate for that portion of the city.

He told the audience last night that the matter will have a public hearing before a final decision is made by city council.

It will take five votes from the seven-member council to overturn the decision by the commission.