While there are many important candidate elections on the ballot this coming Tuesday, Cleveland Heights has two important issues on the ballot as well. One of them could depend on the strength of our community’s vote!
Issue 9 – Recommendation: Vote NO
You may have seen many signs around town urging residents to vote NO on Issue 9. But you may have no idea what this issue is about and why the vast majority of businesses and residents are opposing it. Here is a quick look at the issue and why you should vote NO on Election Day May 3rd.
- Issue 9 calls for the creation of an “activity park” at the Meadowbrook site on Lee Road.
- However, the City of Cleveland Heights has already signed a $50 million contract with a real estate developer for the Cedar Lee Meadowbrook Development project which includes 1.7 acres of green space including the Meadowbrook site!
- The development contract already in place will knock down the dilapidated buildings on the corner Cedar and Lee (behind the movie theater) and create a multi-use residential and commercial space there as well as on the corner of Meadowbrook/Lee/Tullamore. On that same corner of Meadowbrook/Lee/Tullamore, the developer is retaining a green space for public use that will be maintained at the developer’s expense.
- The development contract as signed and the project itself will bring in new revenue and new taxes for the city and the schools.
- The development plan for that site went through many many community meetings before it was unanimously approved by the Cleveland Heights Planning Commission and other city boards. Our community’s own Eliezer Zamft, Cleveland Heights Planning Director, led the staff process and I had the honor of chairing the meetings where the Planning Commission reviewed the plans extensively, considered public input, and ultimately approved the site plan in its entirety.
- There’s a lot of confusion around this issue because the language on the ballot is so neutral. Supporters of the Cedar Lee Meadowbrook development are concerned that Issue 9 will be inadvertently passed by uninformed voters; hence this article!
- A “NO” vote on election day is a vote in support of Cleveland Heights businesses, the Cedar Lee neighborhood, and increased revenue for our city.
What happens if Issue 9 passes?
- If Issue 9 passes, it puts the city at risk of a lawsuit for impairment of an existing contract. This will put the development plans in legal jeopardy and essentially stop all progress on the development while the case winds its way through the courts.
- It has taken almost 20 years for the city of Cleveland Heights to secure a developer for this site. If Issue 9 passes, this is a strong signal to developers that they do not have a trusted partner in the city of Cleveland Heights. With so much need for development that will build our tax base, this would be devastating for our city.
If you want to learn more, please visit https://www.buildclm.com/.
Please vote NO on Issue 9 on May 3rd.
Issue 10 – Recommendation: Vote YES
The passage of Issue 10 will shift the hiring and supervision of the Clerk of Council from the Mayor to City Council. Some facts on why this change deserves a YES vote:
- This does not create a new position, just shifts the role of the clerk from the executive to the legislative branch of city government.
- Most cities in Cuyahoga County have a Clerk of Council that reports to the City Council.
- A full-time clerk of council will contribute significantly to making our city council more
organized, responsive, and productive.
If you want to learn more about what a Clerk of Council does and why CH Councilman Tony Cuda is supporting the passage of Issue 10, you can read his Heights Observer article here.
If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Thank you!
Jessica Chavi Cohen
Leave a Reply