Boston Heights Overlook

At the 14 August 2002 Village Council meeting, Solicitor Russ Pry stated that the representatives of the U.S. Army had finally met with Village officials on 13 August, in connection with the proposed Army Reserve Center on Olde 8 Rd.

Mr. Pry noted, somewhat archly, that the Army representatives had apologized for the previous lack of contact with the Village. Mr. Pry continued with a lengthy presentation on the content of this meeting, and on the Army proposed center in general, summarized here:

The Army stated that the process for this new center had started in 1995 with a plan to consolidate several existing local Reserve centers. The budget (for land acquisition?) drove the selection of the Olde 8 Rd. site. Authorization was granted last year for a site purchase, though the site had not been selected at that time.

The Army does not expect to start construction for two years, but planning is far along already. It will take an "Act of Congress" (apparently: literally) to stop the planned development of the Reserve Center on this site.

The Army made it clear that does not expect to start construction for two years, but planning is far along already. It will take an "Act of Congress" (apparently: literally) to stop the planned development of the Reserve Center on this site.

The Army made it clear that they will be cooperative on development issues but ultimately need not seek the approval of the Village's Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals (e.g. are not subject to local zoning rules).

The Army did agree to consider the issue of fees for the use of their overweight trucks on Village roads, and possibly EMS use fees. But in no wise can the Army pay anything that amounts to local taxes.

The Army Reserve unit that will use the center is mainly a medical response group. The office building planned for the center will have 50-75 full-time employees. The other facilities in the center are for storage and training. Each month, there will be reservists training at the center: about 500, 350, and 150 over three weekends. There will be no overnight facilities: day use only.

Mayor McFall made it clear to the Army that the Village did not welcome this project. The Army responded that there were similar objections everywhere this sort of project was undertaken. They added that about 1/2 of the full-time office employees will be civilians paying local income taxes.

At this point, Mayor McFall suggested to the Council meeting audience that they "feel free to contact their congressmen" about this project. He further suggested contacting other representatives, circulating petitions, and so forth. The Army is planning to complete acquisition of the site by October 2002 in order to mesh with their budget timetable.

A citizen asked whether anyone was aware of precedents for small communities fighting this kind of project. Mr. Pry replied that he was not aware of any, but might look into it.

Another citizen suggested that, if the center was essentially inevitable, the best course might be to be "good neighbors" and try to cooperate with the Army to see what could be accomplished. Mr. Pry replied that it could not hurt to try to halt the project entirely, and that doing so was not going to cause any hostile lashback from the Army.

A citizen asked whether the Army would shore up any of the Village infrastructure. Mr. Pry replied that they would likely extend the Hines Hill water line down Olde 8, allowing 4 or 5 homes to hook up. He repeated that the Army might consider a permit/fee structure for overweight trucks. He referred to the trucking for the upcoming Krejci Dump cleanup as a similar case.

Another citizen noted that, with up to 500 people driving in on Saturday mornings, there would be new safety issues. Mr. Pry replied that the Army would consider including a bike lane in the turning lane they expected to add on Olde 8.

Mr. Marc Miller stated that he felt it ridiculous that the Army was putting this center on residential property. Mr. Pry noted that the site was in fact zoned for Office Park now (NOT residential), and largely bordered the Ohio Turnpike. Mostly parking and office building will be visible from the street.

Ms. Lisa Varga noted that she lived right across the street from the site, and did not look forward to the large increase in weekend traffic. She asked when the Village had first become aware of the project. The Mayor replied that the Village's first information was the legal notice published at the beginning of July.

Another citizen asked why the Army had not been more open about the selection process. Mr. Pry said he had no answer to this, but that the site selection was mostly cost-driven. The Army had stated that they were unsuccessful at working out a site with the Cuyahoga Valley National Park or the Ravenna Arsenal, among others.

Ms. Ellen Campbell observed that there seemed to be "a snowball's chance in heck" of stopping the project, and asked what the Village would do next. Ms. Varga also asked why no citizens had been at the 13 August meeting. Mr. Pry replied that this was a preliminary private 1st-time meeting (apparently as opposed to a public hearing of some sort). He urged that citizens contact their legislators, noting a conflict with the regional commitment to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. He expected preliminary plans to be presented to the Planning Commission around December 2002 (as a courtesy, apparently). He thought that at that time there might be a public meeting, perhaps at the Holiday Inn.

Ms. Varga asked "how do we know" the Army isn't looking at other property in the Village. Mr. Pry reported that this question had come up at the meeting and the Army had categorically denied any such interest. He added that there were never guarantees as to the basis of such rumors.

Ms. Smith asked about the plans for the 10 acres that the Army was not buying from the existing parcel, right at the corner of Hines Hill and Olde 8 Roads. Mr. Pry replied that the Army was not interested in that part of the parcel, but might have to get an easement for their sewer line, and perhaps for an access drive directly to Hines Hill Road. Ms. Smith asked whether the Village could provide phone numbers to call; Clerk-Treasurer Zeman replied that these would be published in the next Boston Heights Reports newsletter. Mr. Pry added that the Army may provide an overview letter for inclusion in the BHR newsletter.

Mr. Ed Kuchar asked whether anyone knew of the status of the land acquisition -- whether the Army held an option on the parcel. Mr. Pry replied that he did not know, but thought the Army did have an option. Mr. Kuchar asked whether the Army could invoke eminent domain. Mr. Pry replied that they need not do so, but probably could. He added that they still needed to complete the "EPA Phase 1" environmental study.

Mr. John Codrea noted that a contract between willing seller and buyer was in play, so not a matter of eminent domain. Mr. Pry stated that the economic impact on the Village was the best argument against the project. Ms. Varga asked whether the Army could propose one thing and do another; Mr. Pry replied that this was possible, but that the Army denied any intention of doing so (and really had no incentive to do so).

Ms. Robinson asked whether this Army development would stop the access road planned to the east of the site, in conjunction with the future expansion of Ohio Route 8. Councilor Palumbo stated that the Army would welcome that roadway, and might use it for access in the future.

Mr. Miller asked what more might be done beside protesting to legislators -- whether the Village might do something legally or via environmental challenges. He asked who currently owned the parcel. C-T Zeman replied that Mr. Art Truehaft is involved but perhaps not directly. (Mr. Treuhaft is a principal in the nearby golf course.)

Village Engineer Steve Schreiber mentioned that the Army had stated that they are usually (often?) welcomed by communities involved in these projects. Mr. Kuchar suggested getting U.S. Representative Steve LaTourette into a town meeting on this matter. Another citizen stated that he had already contact Mr. LaTourette, as well as Reps. Sherrod Brown and Tom Sawyer. C-T Zeman promised that a public notice would be made if such a meeting was set up. Police Chief Varga suggested that people check on this Boston Heights Overlook website.

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