Planning Commission Can Vote On Permit For Martial Arts Academy On Tyler

The Mentor Planning Commission can vote on a permit for a new martial arts facility at 7468 Tyler Boulevard during its meeting Thursday evening at City Hall.

The Oriental Martial Arts Academy is open and operates in the same complex -- but in a different unit -- as Miss Kimberly Day Care and Cross Fit 440.

The academy is run by Sihyeok Lee and it offers classes for teens and adults on weekday evenings.

The classes provide cardio exercise while teaching self-defense, meditation and ki (breathing) techniques.

A permit is required because this is a new use for the existing space.

Also at the Planning Commission meeting:

The permit for the proposed Speedway service station on Heisley Road is also on the agenda.

The proposal was tabled at the Planning Commission's last meeting over traffic concerns and is likely to remain on the table.

Mentor Planning Administrator Ric Spence and the Planning Commission were concerned about traffic near the Heisley-Diamond Center intersection.

Consequently, Spence suggested that -- should the permit for the service station be approved -- that drivers not be permitted to turn left into or out of its driveway.

However, Greg Schunck of Richard Bowen & Associates -- the business that applied for the permit -- said a no-left-turn rule would make it very difficult for business.

As a compromise, it was suggested that Schunck contact Avery Dennison -- which abuts the property -- and request an easement that would allow the property to connect to Avery's driveway.

The property previously had an easement from Avery, Spence said, but Avery bought it back in the 1990s.

Ultimately, both the applicant and Commission decided to table the permit request until Richard Bowen & Associates could discuss a possible easement with Avery Dennison.

The agenda for the Planning Commission meeting and the staff report pertaining to the martial arts academy are attached to this story as PDFs.