Thanks to “Ron, The the Magician” for his help

Lost the most recent posts.

Finally back up with new security upgrades.  Merry Christmas to all

And who are the 700+ stupid people who voted for Richard Duncan?  What a waste of a vote on candidate who has no clue.

Aurora — An attempt at rezoning the 206-acre Aurora Golf Club so that more than 250 homes can be built is being made by the property’s owner — Aurora Recreation LLC.

At its Oct. 7 meeting, the city’s planning commission accepted the proposal for study. Planners have between 30 and 90 days to decide whether to send the proposal to City Council.

But some residents and city officials are already opposed to rezoning.

Hunter Banbury, the managing partner of Aurora Recreation LLC, said the firm now owns the property “free and clear” and is “looking to put it to a better use.”

Plans call for rezoning the acreage on Trails End from R-2 residential to the higher density R-4, which would allow nearly 500 homes to be built. However, Banbury said only 224 single-family and 52 attached single-family homes are proposed, and some of the land would remain as green space.

The plan also seeks to rezone a 5.8-acre parcel, where the clubhouse, swimming pool and other buildings (33,000 square of structures overall) are situated, to C-1 commercial.

“The clubhouse is one of the city’s biggest and best places for gatherings, so we’d like to keep it for that purpose,” Banbury said.

John Lateulere, a land planner for Atwell-Hicks LLC, said it would not be feasible to develop the land under the current zoning, which would allow only 68 units to be built.

“WE REALIZE it’s a challenging location for housing, because the property has a lot of physical restraints, but we think we could build the number of homes proposed,” he said.

If the planning panel and Council ultimately favor rezoning, the question would go to the voters at a future election — possibly next spring.

Mayor Lynn McGill argued that he believes the property “could be developed under R-2 zoning. It’s difficult to justify the possibility of putting 500 homes on this property.”

He pointed out that a “pristine river” — the Aurora branch of the Chagrin — runs through the property, which is adjacent to protected land owned by the Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland.

“There also are the issues of an extensive flood plain, a peat bog and major elevation changes on the property,” he added.

Councilman Robert Galaska Jr. said it would be “a disaster” if the city continues on the path toward development of the property.

“We [Banbury and city officials] need to get together and talk to avert a tragedy,” he added.

“My residents wouldn’t support this type of development and I don’t see that I could,” added Ward 4 Councilman George Horvat.

“It would be a shame to see this plan go through,” said resident Bill Avalon. “I don’t want to see a housing development there. I don’t want to see Aurora become like a Solon.”

“IT’S A NO brainer that the city should buy this land to preserve for its residents,” said resident Gail Demming, who is an owner of the old railroad depot adjacent to the property.

“If the city can afford all the other land that it’s bought, I don’t see why it can’t afford this property.”

Resident George Mazzaro said he believes “there is no way” residents would pass the proposed rezoning. “The only change I’d support is to rezone it for governmental use,” he said.

Resident Al Linek cited the impact the additional homes would have on the schools, and also questioned whether the city’s sewage system could handle the increased load.

Councilman Tom Dreher said some 75 residents near the golf course met recently with the three mayoral candidates, and the citizens asked the candidates to devise alternative proposals to rezoning.

“We’ll bring back some suggestions in the near future, which may include the possibility of the city purchasing the property,” he explained.

A meeting between the three candidates and Highlands area residents will be Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. in the golf club’s clubhouse.

Earlier this year, Council voted not to buy the property for $3.2 million after members said the purchase would put the city in debt.

Recently, McGill told the Advocate he favors selling some land the city doesn’t need to raise capital for the purchase of the golf course.

 http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2009/10/inkstop_abruptly_closed_all_15.html

check out the discussion,

 http://www.oliveaurora.org/uncategorized/veterans-stadium-inkstop-field-wow/#comment-13022

“We understand that the individual who bought the Big Dipper, which was the 12th roller coaster in the world when the park closed in 2007, at the June 2008 auction is still expressing an intent to preserve it. What form that will take we do not know, but as long as the Big Dipper remains intact we are hopeful that keeping it at Geauga Lake as part of the future development is a possibility.

The Geauga Lake “Skyscraper” observation tower (formerly known as the “Needle”) was removed this summer.  Around that time there was a media report quoting property owner Cedar Fair spokesperson Robin Innes as saying that the Big Dipper buyer had been asked to remove it from the property as soon as possible. While we understand that no firm deadline has been set and the statement was just echoing what had been said back at the time of the auction, we are concerned that this may suggest an unwillingness by Cedar Fair to consider options for keeping the Big Dipper on site at Geauga Lake.

We would like to ask everyone to consider writing a respectful and concise letter to Cedar Fair asking them to consider options for preserving the Big Dipper on site as part of the future development of Geauga Lake. Letters can be sent to the following address:

Mr. Jacob T. Falfas
One Cedar Point Drive
Sandusky, Ohio 44870

Thank you for your time. We are convinced that for many years to come people will continue to celebrate the good memories made at Geauga Lake. For now the Big Dipper is still intact and we are hopeful that it will be part of future fun times as well”.

Meant not to be a whine fest, “the event is not intended to criticize in any way property owner Cedar Fair or the unknown individual who bought the Big Dipper at the June 2008 auction. Rather, it is meant to be a positive event that both celebrates Geauga Lake’s 120 year history as an amusement park and asks whether there is any way that future development of the park land could preserve some of remnants of that history.”

SAGAMORE HILLS — Police and the Summit County Sheriff’s Office are continuing to investigate the slaying of a 39-year-old Aurora woman in the parking lot of Panini’s Bar and Grill, 480 W. Aurora Road.

According to Sgt. Scott Cottle of the Sheriff’s Office, Stacy DiJulius, 39, of Aurora, died after being run over by a car driven by Erich Schultz, 38, of Glenwillow. The incident occurred at about 7:20 p.m. following an argument between the two which began in the restaurant and turned violent outside.

 More

I am the daughter of Reggie Brooks, who passed away in March 2008. After 28 years, my family will be closing the restaurant. The family issued a press release to thank all of our very loyalty customers and residents of Aurora for their patronage.

Just thought it may be something you wanted to add to this site.

Aurora’s first ‘Treasure Trove Sale, expected to become a twice-a-year event, will raise funds for projects in that will benefit the entire Aurora Community.  The first community rummage/consignment sale is expected to raise funds to complete phase #2 of the Greenmen Pride’s artificial turf project.   For details on Aurora’s first Treasure Trove Sale, see more link below.

(Wednesday) December 3rd————-10am—8pm  (drop off for donors and consignor’s only)
(Thursday)      December 4th————-10am—8pm  (sale day)
(Friday)           December 5th————-10am—7pm  (sale day)
(Saturday)      December 6th————-10am—4pm  (30% off EVERYTHING)
(Sunday)         December 7th————-2pm—-6pm   (consignors only)-to pick up items they want back)
*****Any consigned items left after 6pm on Sunday become 100% donation to treasure trove sale for Mon./Tues. sale and any items left after 12pm Tuesday will be picked up by prearranged charity trucks.
(Monday)        December 8th————-10am—2pm  (50% off EVERYTHING)
(Tuesday)       December 9th————-10am—12pm (Everything you can fit in a brown bag–$5.00)
* items remaining after the sale ends will go to charities!!!!!

Sale items include New of Gently used clothing, toys, small household items, baby items, holiday items, craft items, books and videos, sports equipment and much more!!!

DONATION’S ACCEPTED   We’ll even tag your donated items!!
For info. and consignment numbers
call Denise at 330-562-4533
Please do not contact Craddock school or the board of education

Consignors receive 50% of the profit from their sold items and 50% goes to the
Greenmen Pride Fundraiser which is currently raising funds to make improvements to Inkstop Stadium  facilities and possibly install a second artificial turf field.
Future Treasure Trove Sales proceeds may go to other Aurora causes!