Solon Council Splits On Grant Bid For Nature Preserve Parking Lot

Solon City Council met July 6 and moved forward with a grant application tied to the Stolen Woods Nature Preserve, approved a slate of consent agenda items, and kept the public hearing open on several proposed charter changes. Council members also heard from residents about the city’s Independence Day observance and a proposal to plant more trees.

Grant Application For Preserve Land Draws Debate

Council considered authorizing Mayor Edward Kraus or his designee to apply for an Ohio Department of Natural Resources Natureworks grant. The funding would go toward acquiring two parcels on Russell Drive near the Stolen Woods Nature Preserve, with the property eventually intended for a parking area connected to the preserve’s trail system.

Councilman Jeremy Zelwin raised concerns about unknown costs the city could face once the state becomes involved.

“But a parking lot in that could cost more money than I think should be spent on a parking lot for a trail that’s not even a mile long,” Zelwin said.

Vice Mayor Nancy Meany, who presided over the meeting in the mayor’s absence, spoke in support of the application. She noted the legislation only authorizes the city to apply for the grant and does not commit any funding.

“So I’m comfortable because all of this is tonight. It’s just to see, you know, applying for the grant,” Meany said.

Later in the meeting, a council member elaborated on concerns about the acquisition, citing cost as well as a worry that adding a parking lot runs counter to the city’s walkability goals. That council member noted the grant covers only 75 percent of the cost, leaving the city to absorb the remainder along with construction and maintenance expenses down the line.

“We have plenty of cars in the city. We have plenty of spaces for cars. We have very limited spaces for people, that’s all,” the council member said.

Supporters of the application argued that applying for the grant does not commit the city to spending money, and that cost concerns could be addressed later if the grant is awarded.

Planning Commission Consent Agenda

Two items came before council after Planning Commission review.

The first involved an application from a property owner for 34505 Cannon Road in Ward 4, requesting a 32 square foot accessory structure size variance for a shed. The Planning Commission approved the request contingent on compliance with a Planning Department memo dated May 20 and an Engineering Department memo dated May 21. The applicant was present and agreed to the requirements.

The second involved an application from South Main Investors LLC for 6262 Cochran Road in Ward 5, requesting a variance for 16 required parking spaces, a variance to waive curbing installation, and a recommendation on a site plan. The Planning Commission approved the variances and recommended the site plan for approval, contingent on compliance with a Planning Department memo dated June 15 and an Engineering Department memo dated June 17. Sean Shahidpour of Cohn Development and Bryan Adams of DGL Consulting Engineers appeared on behalf of the applicant and agreed to the requirements.

Council approved both planning items.

Police Vehicles Remain On Third Reading

Two ordinances tied to the police fleet stayed on the agenda without a vote. One would authorize the purchase of new Ford Police Interceptors with trade in credit from Montrose Ford as part of the department’s annual fleet replacement program. A companion ordinance would authorize purchasing up fitting equipment for those vehicles from Hall Public Safety Outfitters. Council said it is still waiting on updated information from the police chief before moving either item forward.

Other Business Approved

Council approved a job creation grant agreement with Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials LLC through the city’s economic development program. Members also accepted a bid from Scodeller Construction for the 2026 annual preventative maintenance program, valued at $146,778.84, and a bid from Phillips Paving LLC for the annual asphalt repair program, valued at $1,622,490. A separate item amended an existing agreement with GPD Group to add $43,000 in bidding and design services for the Harper Road diverging diamond interchange project.

Charter Amendments Stay Open For Comment

Council continued public hearings on several proposed charter amendments without closing them, meaning residents can still weigh in before the next meeting. The proposals include updates tied to the Master Plan Citizens Committee, creation of a new Director of Economic Development position, and zoning changes affecting the industrial core area and the ward veto process.

Zelwin said he plans to introduce an amendment at the next meeting to change language in the Director of Economic Development proposal that would otherwise bar the position from holding a similar role in another city. He said the city currently employs people, including grant writers, who also work for other municipalities.

Council thanked the Charter Review Commission for its work and said Planning Director Mike Ionna is preparing a memo addressing how the changes intersect with his department.

Storm Damage Guidance And Community Updates

Planning Director Ionna told council the city has been fielding questions from residents whose insurance companies are only replacing part of their siding or roofing after recent storm damage. He said the city’s rule requires a full replacement if more than 5 percent of siding or roofing needs repair, and staff created a letter residents can use with their insurance companies. The letter will be posted to the city’s website and social media once finalized.

Ionna also said the city has received hundreds of new permits this year for siding, roofing and related repairs tied to a recent hailstorm.

Recreation Director Parker recognized Parks and Recreation Month and thanked department staff. He also announced the farmers market moved this year to the Solon Service Department and runs Wednesdays from 4 to 7 p.m. through September, and that the summer festival, formerly known as Home Days, will be held mostly at Bicentennial Park July 24 through 26 while Solon Community Park remains under construction.

Public Works Director William Drsek addressed brush pickup policy, noting the service is intended for minor tree trimming and not whole tree removals. Residents doing larger jobs were encouraged to request a truck drop from the service department instead.

Residents Speak On Independence Day And Tree Planting

A Solon resident who did not state a name for the record addressed council about the nation’s 250th anniversary of independence, saying the city did little to mark the occasion compared to past efforts. The resident used the moment to encourage the city to identify locations for tree planting along roads, in parks and on public property, and to encourage residents to do the same on their own properties, citing recent extreme heat in Europe and the United States as a reason to prioritize the effort.

A Liberty Road resident told council he was disappointed with the city’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary, noting Solon did not fly an anniversary flag or display American flags along its streets during the holiday. The resident, a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, said the city has honored Revolutionary War history through street names in the past and should have done more this year.

Closing Comments

Police Chief Courtenay Perkins asked residents to keep the Rittman community in their thoughts following the death of Rittman Police Sergeant Scott Rise, who was killed in the line of duty. Fire Chief Shawn Toth thanked the community for its support of the department’s Century Open House. The meeting adjourned following a motion from Zelwin, seconded by Bentley.

Watch the Meeting

Watch the July 6 Solon City Council meeting: Solon Debates Trail Grant Parking and Walkability.