Planning Commission Tables Permit For Proposed Speedway On Heisley

Mentor Planning Commission voted to table a request for a permit to run a Speedway service station at 5700 Heisley Road during its meeting Thursday.

The property is currently the home of Sohl's Service Center.

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.

Richard Bowen & Associates has been trying to get a new Speedway in Mentor for a few months. Their attempt to put on Mentor Avenue was nixed because the Planning Commission though the suggested location was too small to accommodate it.

Also at the Planning Commission meeting:

• The Commission approved plans for the remodeling of the Classic Hyundai building and showroom.

The Classic Auto Group has remodeled many of its dealerships in recent years.

The design incorporates would use metal panels, sleek lines and entrance features, similar to other dealerships on the Classic Auto campus.

The most notable change will be a modified main entrance. A raised “tower” structure will be constructed to the existing entry-way and set at an angle, facing toward Tyler Boulevard.

The height of the tower will extend 11 feet above the existing roofline of dealership building.