Planning Commission OKs Permits for New Businesses

The Mentor Planning Commission Thursday approved conditional use permits and preliminary site plans that will bring a new Dunkin' Donuts restaurant and a new dental office building to the city.

The 2,523-square-foot Dunkin' Donuts will be constructed at 7825 Mentor Avenue on a half-acre of vacant land near the store. The new location will replace the current shop on Route 306, said Kevin Willis, the architect representing business owner, Bhavesh Patel.

The Planning Commission approved Dunkin' Donuts’ application for a conditional use permit that will allow the business to operate a drive-thru service. The commission also approved the preliminary site plan for the new 24-hour Dunkin' Donuts that is expected open in the fall and employ six to eight workers.

The commission also voted in favor of a conditional use permit and preliminary site plan for the construction of a one-story, 5,000-square-foot dental office building on a half-acre of vacant land at 8346 Mentor Avenue.

Because the property is adjacent to land zoned for residential use, a 20-foot buffer is required by city code. The conditional use permit, however, reduces the 20-foot buffer to a 12-foot buffer. The dental practice will be operated by Dr. Yassar Armanzi.

The commission rejected a conditional use permit request by businessperson Calli Spindle to operate a pet sitting and training business with overnight boarding of animals at 7615 Mentor Avenue,  a B-2 general business district. The conditional use permit was rejected in part because the city’s code prohibits overnight boarding of animals in Mentor's B-2 general business district.

Mentor’s Planning Administrator Ric Spence informed the Planning Commission that the had been rescinded at the request of Justin and Brianne Houk.

The Houks applied for the conditional use permit to allow them to operate their landscaping business from their Canterbury Lane home, a residential neighborhood.

 In April, Mentor’s Board of Zoning Appeals tabled a separate zoning variance request by the Houks to build a 1,935-square-foot detached garage in their backyard.

The variance was tabled because of concerns raised by Canterbury Lane residents and board members that the detached garage is three times the size allowed by city code. Neighbors argued the proposed garage would ruin the tranquility and character of the residential neighborhood.

In other action, the commission approved a conditional use permit that allows Quaker Steak & Lube restaurant, 7834 Reynold Road, to continue sponsoring its weekly Bike and Classic Car events.