Mentor Planning Commission Approves Renovation Projects for Applebee's and Dairy Queen

Two familiar Mentor businesses will undergo major renovation projects that will give them a new look.

, Mentor’s Planning Commission approved architectural plans for at 9174 Mentor Avenue and at 8787 Mentor Avenue.

Rebecca M. Piller, representing Applebee’s, said the franchise is getting a fresh look with new awnings and lights. In addition, an entrance pediment made from stone veneer with a standing seam metal roof will be constructed at the main entrance.

The interior of the restaurant also will be renovated. Piller said Applebee’s is reimaging all of its 366 restaurants in the U.S., including 40 in Ohio.

The Dairy Queen will be reimaged into a new Grill & Chill restaurant, similar to the one at Diamond Center Drive. Plans call for part of the existing red mansard roof feature on the front of the building to be replaced with an entrance pediment constructed of ledge stone.

A glass entrance door will be installed at the left side of the pediment to provide better access from the inside of the building to the outside patio. Additionally, the existing door next to the drive-thru window will be replaced with a walk-up service window.

In other action, the Planning Commission approved final site plans for the construction of a 33,124-square-foot manufacturing and office building at 6280 Tin Man Road, off Tyler Boulevard.

The new building will house the operations of Kaeper Machine Inc, which machines a variety of industrial products. The manufacturer is currently operating from a 10,000-square-foot facility at 8680 Twinbrook Road.

The commission also approved the final site plans for a new 2,523-square-foot that will be constructed at 7825 Mentor Avenue on a half acre of vacant land near store. The new location will replace the current Dunkin Donuts on Route 306.

The Planning Commission also approved conditional use permits for the following operations and purposes:

• To allow Perfect Touch Landscape Co. to operate at 5879 Heisley Road,
• Permit Chaim Weiszner of A2B LLC to run an automobile wholesaler and repair facility at 5879 Heisley Road.
• To allow outside dining and drinking at Froyo Twist at 7267 Center Street,
• To permit the White Fields Anglican Church to conduct religious services, Christian education and community outreach programs at 9521 Lake Shore Boulevard (the former Society of Rehabilitation building.)

In other action, the commission tabled a conditional use request to construct a 1,344-square-foot patio at the back of , 8484 Mentor Avenue, after three Esther Street residents voiced concerns over noise issues from customers dining and drinking on the patio.

Some Esther Street homes would be adjacent to the patio. Safe-Crackers owner Toni Novak said she would meet with the property owner to see if the patio could be constructed in front of the bar and grill building.