Live reporting by
Preeya Shankar
Commission approves special improvements for Public Square
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Preeya's Documenter's Account
@PSDocumenter
Hi all! It is May 19, 2023, and I'll be tweeting about Cleveland's City Planning Commission's meeting today for
@cledocumenters
&
@signalcleveland
#CLEdocumenters
@cledocumenters
&
@signalcleveland
#CLEdocumenters
08:10 AM May 19, 2023 CDT
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland A note: hard stop at noon, so there may be some push to move along w meeting at some points
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland zoning map amendment, from Councilmember Griffin: purpose to allow proposed development to move forward, promote diversify in housing typologies, support transit and alternative mobility choices (zoning at corner of Stokes and 103rd)
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland design review: 1. costs have gone up even with increasing equity agreements, as such actively trying to be as efficient as possible 2. significant changes have made to design since last pitched bc of feedback
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland q: is there any comments from design review that haven't been covered? a: showing land plan, including canopy cover on Stokes, holistic site plan, etc
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland motion to approve this project for final approval, bc there was no action taken/recommended at design review: motion carries
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Next! Flats Design Review Case, seeking final approval, granted approval w conditions, come back w more info w bike infrastructure, via Councilmember McCormack
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland discussing safety and security in Public Square, incorporating notes into design modifications
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland since last meeting, adding security raisers and increasing size of security bollards, new conditions outlined in images of Ontario and Superior
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland q: bollards could've been public art (though notes that he missed the first round of talks on this) but not sure why this city is so into bollards
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland q: how do we get around removing bollards temporarily? eg if there were an uber eats person trying to get through? a: need two men to move bc they are heavy but looking into collapsible or retractable bollards
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland response: there needs to be better infrastructure in restaurants so people bring things to cars rather than uber eats person running into restaurant and picking things up. also disappointed in public square traffic, do buses around the perimeter undermine the park?
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland (ensuing discussion of multi-modal park, including biking, buses, etc)
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Final approval for Public Square special improvements: motion carries
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Downtown Flats Design Review Case per Councilperson McCormack: rock and roll hall of fame expansion project
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Expansion for new lobby/entry point on Eerie, multi-purpose space for community events/concerts etc, relocating admin offices to open up exhibit spaces
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland There has been a bunch of proposed designs here, presented by several people, and I would encourage checking out this stream if that's something you're interested in, but it is pretty in-depth so I'm not gonna detail what has been proposed in detail here
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland "Committee Recommendation: Unanimously Apposed as Presented with the following Consideration and Noted for Final Approval (i.e. next time reviewed)". Positive comments but thoughts about winter issues. "Thank you very much!"
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Next: New Bridge Construction and Associated Streetscape Enhancements, via Councilperson Starr
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Wait, next 2 items listed together. ^ and rescinding of former cuyahoga juvenile facility as a landmark, and "we will vote on them separately we will discuss why those are together"
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Citing planners as being complicit in discrimination, saying this [plan] will "right this wrong"
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland (PS note: the talking is cutting out, could be my Internet but another reason I encourage watching the stream/recorded video if you want more details)
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Now speaking about redlining and segregation, specifically about the history/trajectory of Central
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland q: re: landscaping, two people speaking about how to balance budget of landscaping, dead trees in tree lawn and perhaps money used better elsewhere
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland (we are in the home stretch bc of the hard deadline, so qs and comments might be affected by this)
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland a: more schematics in response, citing Columbus as an inspiration, especially re bridges (noting CLE sense of identity)
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Councilperson Stark: speaking about community efforts of changing Central neighborhood, grateful, discussing how to make it safer including walking along the bridge
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland q: is there a special improvement district that extends to e. 22nd? a: no response: (commentary) we need to have historical retrospective re black and brown communities when we discuss things like this
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland response to response: bike lanes are separate to this but car ownership demos need to be taken into account
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland now some more discussion/disagreements about bike lanes and specifics about how to implement them
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland q: turning right on Cedar a: part of litigation response: who is driving on Carnegie* and who is turning on Cedar, seems like this is prioritizing white drivers **
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland **I'm not sure how they transitioned back to transport from where they previously were in the forum, but the discussion is pretty grounded
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland motion carries for schematic design on e. 22nd w also considering green space, biking lanes, etc.
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland last ordinance is back to "Rescinding the designation of the former Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court Building as a Cleveland Landmark."
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland argument for is based on historical racial segregation, and building (despite many efforts) is too mired in history for this to work
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Reached out to the community, realized the community "hates this building as well", now multiple people speaking out against this designation, also mentions that designation occurred in '86
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland motion carries! w additional social commentary that the fact that it has taken this long to approve this is "appalling"
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland "Thank you for coming... this was an amazing, amazing day... we'll see you soon!"
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@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Have questions? Think we got something wrong? Send any inquiries on the meeting or these tweets to @cledocumenters, or email us at cledocumenters@gmail.com.