LORAIN — The city’s Planning Commission on Wednesday approved the final development plan for Lighthouse Village, paving the way for Wal-Mart to land in Lorain by 2010.

The 200,000-square-foot supercenter will bring up to 400 jobs with it, but before the Planning Commission rolled out the welcome mat, Mayor Tony Krasienko and Service Director Robert Gilchrist made sure to quell a few residential concerns involving parking, lighting and the buffer between the retailer and surrounding residents.

Both requested that developer Tom Kuluris make small changes such as planting a denser hedge barrier on the mound behind Wal-Mart instead of the random pine trees currently separating the Home Depot store from residents near the development.

They also requested a review of the lighting plan to make sure that the light doesn’t filter through to nearby residences at night.

Although Kuluris was initially apprehensive about changing a plan that didn’t request any variances, zoning or otherwise, he told the Planning Commission he was willing to work with the city to get the deal done.

“If you think it’s going to make a difference and (the plan) is better, I’ll commit to that, and I’m sure Wal-Mart will commit to that,” he said.

The only sticking point during the meeting came over parking.

Kuluris’ plan called for 5.2 parking spaces for every 1,000 feet of space, just above the city’s minimum retailer requirement of five, but Krasienko wanted only 4.5 parking spaces per 1,000 feet built, with the condition that if Wal-Mart needs the additional spaces, spaces can be added.

“It’s so they also get some flex in the storm water,” Krasienko said. “And so we’re not saddled with a sea of asphalt where we don’t necessarily need it.”

Kuluris, again, was willing to compromise, but Law Director Mark Provenza advised against it, requesting that officials either amend the city’s ordinances or have Kuluris fill out an application for a variance.

In the end, the Planning Commission recommended that City Council approve the plan with the added sections for landscaping and light. Both parties agreed to get back to the parking situation at a later date.

Kuluris also surprised several residents who voiced concern over the buffer problems by adding that he’ll spruce up the pine trees behind Home Depot with an added hedge barrier.

Resident Donna Ignatko said the outcome came as a pleasant surprise.

“I’m impressed with how well everything went,” she said. “I didn’t know what to expect when I came in here, but it turned out wonderfully.”

The Planning Commission also gave its OK for the smaller phases of the plan, which will include 10 smaller tenants and possibly a restaurant, Kuluris said.

Contact Stephen Szucs at 329-7129 or sszucs@chroniclet.com.

 

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