Two new businesses, including a mattress store, will soon be joining the Shops at Marketplace in Bainbridge Township, and an Aldi's grocery store will be…
Two new businesses, including a mattress store, will soon be joining the Shops at Marketplace in Bainbridge Township, and an Aldi’s grocery store will be part of a future expansion, said developers.
Vince Fond Jr. and his son, Vince Fond III, of Aurora-based V and V Lakeshore Ltd., told Bainbridge trustees Monday night his company has been working with the township’s zoning commission to build a 5,500-square-foot commercial building along Aurora Road adjacent to Steak and Shake and BW3 restaurants.
During an architectural review, the Fonds told trustees the first phase of their development will contain a 4,000-square-foot Mattress Firm store and an unnamed smaller store.
The building will be brick to fit in architecturally with nearby existing stores, including Target and Home Depot, they told trustees.
“Based on what I’ve seen so far, I’m going to be approving their plans,” Zoning Inspector Karen Endres told trustees, but added some variances may be needed for signage and parking lot issues.
Vince Fond III told trustees there will be no entrance directly off Aurora Road, but access will be from the existing private roadway.
Vince Fond Jr. added he hoped to break ground by the end of the year.
Phase two of the development, still in the planning stages, will include an Aldi’s grocery store, he told trustees.
Trustee Lori Sass Benza said that has been in the works for quite some time.
“At least three years,” Fond said, adding the Aldi’s store will be the company’s latest design, with more windows.
Trustee Jeff Markley said he visited the Aldi’s store in Chardon to see what it will be like and found that it will fit into the community well.
Trustees said the development will be a welcome addition to the commercial district.
“So are we in general agreement (to approve the architectural plans)?” Benza asked.
Endres said it should be formalized in a memorandum of understanding, which she will prepare for the next meeting.
In other business, trustees discussed whether to research what will be necessary to bring the township hall’s kitchen up to health department licensing standards, or to find out the correct procedures for disconnecting the existing old gas range, removing it and replacing it with something that caterers can use to warm food.
“We need to see what the health department needs for that, if that’s the direction we’re headed,” Markley said.
Benza said she would talk to Service Director Jim Stanek and place the issue on the Nov. 10 meeting agenda.
In other action, trustees appointed Shannon Byrne to an open seat on the zoning commission. Benza said the seat had been open for some time and she was pleased someone has come forward willing to serve.
Trustees also approved the hiring of three new EMTs for the fire department: Charles Bolt, Michael James and Nicholas Tomaselli, at a beginning salary of $20.35 per hour.
Trustees also discussed the need to continue paying for fiber optic connections to Centerville Mills Park, since the township closed the park’s office and no longer needs computer connection there.
The township had been paying $3,120 annually for the service.
Markley asked whether the township can terminate that portion of the township’s contract with One Community, the provider.
Fiscal Officer Cheri Measures said it is in the fifth year of a five-year contract, $36,000 contract, which includes service to the township hall and road department.
“We still owe it this year, but the future contract will not have it,” Benza said.
