Planning Commission Can Vote On Permit For New Banquet Center

Tania Klimo wants to open a banquet center at 7468 Tyler Road -- the same building that houses , and Cross Fit 440.

However, before she can do that, she needs the Planning Commission to approve a conditional use permit for her.

The commission can vote on the permit during its meeting 7 p.m. today at .

Santoli's Banquet Center -- named after her parents, who also own the building where she wants to rent -- would use the unit that housed Jazzercize for 20 years. However, the unit has been empty for the last six month, Klimo said in her request to Mentor's Economic Development Department.

Klimo said the center could house parties for five to 200 people. in its 3,600-sq.-ft. gathering area. No food preparation would be done on site. Instead, caterers or clients would provide the food.

The city administration said the building would need "major renovations to include fire suppression and exit facilities," so the banquet hall could be up to code.

The area is zoned for light manufacturing; and, while it may sound unusual to have a banquet center in a manufacturing zone, it is not without precedent in Mentor.

The Planning Commission approved a permit for the in a light manufacturing zone in 1985.

The Planning Commission's complete agenda is attached to this story as a PDF.