Microbrewery closer to reality after plans approved

by Sue Serdinak

March 1 village council meeting

Richfield Village Planning Director Brian Frantz reported that the Planning Commission approved preliminary plans for a microbrewery on the corner of Grant Street and Broadview Road. In addition, an exception to the 5,000-square-foot limitation to the floor area of buildings in the commercial historic district also was approved.

North Fork Yellow Creek has proposed a 5,248 square foot building to house the Richfield Brewing Company.

In his recommendation to allow the larger area, Frantz wrote that the proposed business would have an “overall significance to the existing commercial historic district,” and not permitting the larger area would impact “the potential viability of the downtown.” He said the village’s architectural consultant recommended approval before the Planning Commission’s approval.

Village Council validated the Planning Commission’s action in a 5-1-1 vote. Rick Hudak voted against it and Ralph Waszak abstained.  

After the meeting, Hudak said he objected to the approval process that was followed to allow the building to be built on village-owned land, including requiring only five parking spaces for the restaurant. He said the village will own and maintain the larger, adjacent parking lot that will be used by the restaurant.

New service director

Mayor Michael Wheeler introduced Scott Waldemarson as Richfield Village’s new service director.

Wheeler, who has been the acting service director since the resignation of Chris Papp in October, said it was like his birthday to finally have a director on staff.

Waldemarson was sworn in on Feb. 21.

Sidewalks

Frantz said the revised cost to build a sidewalk on Broadview Road to the Giant Eagle is $247,000. He said the sidewalk would be on the east side of the road, north of Emerald Dr., and on the west side from Richfield Heritage Preserve to the store. A flashing crosswalk signal would be installed near the park entrance.

Frantz said he plans to bid the project in April.

A sidewalk is also planned for the west side of Broadview Road between Route 303 and Richfield Woods.

Frantz reported it should be built after the Cleveland water line is constructed in that area. He said the water line would be installed in the road right of way.

Hudak warned that sidewalks should not be immediately constructed on top of fill from construction of the line.

Frantz said there is “no significant concern” about settling. He said sidewalks are usually installed when new developments are built and referenced Ashton Village on Route 303.

Dispatch coordinator

Council approved the creation of a new, non-union position of dispatch coordinator/IT coordinator.

Tim Baker has handled the combined responsibilities since 2006, when the position was described simply as dispatch coordinator. In the following years, Baker took on the new tasks of internet/website coordinator, dispatch trainer and maintenance supervisor of most of the electronic systems in the village. 

Baker was at the top of the pay scale for the union position of dispatch supervisor, earning $61,048 annually. With the new title he will earn $71,552 annually.

Council suspended second and third readings and passed the ordinance.  Councilperson Charles Boester voted against it. He said later that he felt more information was needed, and time should have been given for public input.

“There were still some questions I had for which I did not receive information,” he said. ∞