OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Lakewood Board of Building Standards/ABR/Sign Review Meeting - September 11, 2025

Boards and Commissions — Thursday, September 11, 2025
BodyLakewood, Ohio
SessionBoards and Commissions
DateThursday, September 11, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:53:28

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

All right.

0:00

I'd like to call to order the September 11th meeting of the architectural board of review, sign review.

0:06

Board Board of Building Standards.

0:08

Can we get the roll, please?

0:10

Ms.

0:10

Cohen Plessner here.

0:12

Mr.

0:12

Smith.

0:12

Here.

0:13

Mr.

0:13

Agravery?

0:14

Yep.

0:14

Mr.

0:14

Slaughterback?

0:15

Here.

0:16

And Mr.

0:16

Stevenson is out today.

0:23

The first item is to approve the minutes from the August 14th meeting.

0:27

Did anyone have any comments or corrections?

0:32

I will make a motion to approve.

0:34

Can I get a second?

0:36

Second.

0:36

All those in favor?

0:38

Aye.

0:39

Aye.

0:45

We get the opening remarks, please.

0:50

Welcome to the Board of Building Standards Architectural Board of Review Sign Review Board.

0:53

The purpose of the architectural board of review is to protect the value, appearance, and use of properties when buildings and homes are constructed or altered.

1:00

In approving building plans, the board will take into consideration development of adjacent buildings and properties.

1:05

All applicants as well as those members of the public who have come to offer comment when asked to come to the podium, please print and sign your name on the oath sheet and then clearly state your name and address into the microphone for the record.

1:15

Please stay close to the microphone so we can capture an accurate record of all discussion.

1:19

For those members of the public who have come to speak on a given proposal, we ask that you please keep your comments within five minutes to allow everyone an opportunity to comment.

1:26

Questions and comments should be directed to the chair who will compile them and provide them to the applicant for discussion after everyone has had the chance to speak.

1:33

We'll now begin with the regular business of the Board of Building Standards Architectural Board of Review signed review board.

1:55

In case any members of the public are here and aren't sure what the purpose of this board is.

2:00

This is under section 1325 in our code, and we'd be happy to chat about it if you have any questions.

2:11

Thank you.

2:24

This was approved uh summary approval with no conditions.

2:29

Um so I'll make a motion to approve as presented.

2:33

Can I get a second?

2:34

Second.

2:35

All those in favor?

2:37

Aye.

2:45

Moving on to old business uh for the architectural review, docket number 08725 for 13815 Detroit Avenue, the view on Detroit East.

3:00

Uh real quick before the applicant uh gives her presentation.

3:02

I just wanted to note that Planning Commission did approve this application at their meeting last week, and the conditions are listed here.

3:10

Um I did send those out to the board earlier today so they could take a look at them.

3:14

So if we have to come back to this, we can, but I'm gonna pull up their presentation separately.

3:22

Um everybody.

3:32

Uh my name is Matt Mendez.

3:34

I represent DJ Ronaldo Companies.

3:36

Um we believe uh now that this is our um our second time uh being in front of the uh the ABR board um and uh since our last pre-review meeting, um we've done a lot of uh uh put a lot of thought and a lot of effort into um uh listening uh and uh updating uh what the uh the board had suggested suggested uh with comments um and um done some takeoffs uh changed some design um and uh we believe that with the direction that you've given us with the the two options the um the eFIS option be number one and and then the five percent option B number two um that it responds uh meaningly meaningfully uh to the comments um and uh remain remains both uh in continuity with uh the city of Lakewood um uh aesthetically and um and still meets uh our criteria um from an economic standpoint, which is uh obviously the win-win at the end of the day.

4:34

Um so uh we are confident that these two options that we'll we'll show uh in a second here um uh can bring a viable project to Lakewood.

4:44

Um and uh we believe that either of those uh we'll be happy with uh ultimately um and we think that we've um answered uh all um uh conditions uh quite well uh and uh Ron would be happy to walk through.

5:07

Um, and we will be looking for uh final approval today.

5:11

Um hopefully that uh it goes in our favor and uh we understand that um again that this project isn't the first time um being brought up uh as it's been years now, um, but uh we've put a lot of time.

5:25

We believe that uh it's at a good spot, and uh we think we can um still have a viable um timeline to get this um demoed and out of the ground going vertically this year with this approval.

5:38

So we we look forward to doing that and bringing a product that's um aesthetically pleasing and viable uh to Lakewood.

5:43

So uh with that, I will uh I'll give it over to Ron.

5:47

Thank you.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Building Codes██████████████████████████████████████38%
Parks and Recreation███████████11%
Affordable Housing██████████10%
Historic Preservation█████████9%
Signage████████8%
Procedural███████7%
Public Engagement███████7%
Fence Regulations███████7%
Energy Infrastructure██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Lakewood Board of Building Standards/ABR/Sign Review Meeting - September 11, 2025

The meeting was called to order at approximately 5:30 PM on September 11, 2025, in the City of Lakewood Auditorium, 12650 Detroit Avenue. The board heard and voted on multiple dockets including old business, sign review, and architectural board of review items. Key decisions included deferral of the 'View on Detroit East' mixed-use project, approval of sign applications for Black Sheep 216 and Berkshire Hathaway, approval of a generator screen at ADA Architects, deferral of North Coast Apartments, approval of a new home at 1457 St. Charles with conditions, approval of a dormer modification at 17814 Riverside, approval of a rooftop deck at 14414 Detroit, and denial of a porch enclosure at 1664 Lauderdale.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the minutes of the August 14, 2025 meeting. (Motion, second, all in favor)

Public Comments & Testimony

  • David Maniet (1315 Bunts Road) spoke in favor of the 'View on Detroit East' project, suggesting the city provide proposed Bunts Road drawings to help coordinate landscaping with planned road work.
  • Thomas Mulready (1365 Webb Road) expressed concerns about the existing chain link fence and dumpster at ADA Architects (17710 Detroit Ave.), stating the fence is damaged, leans into the right-of-way, is never locked, and is an eyesore; he also noted the dumpster was previously stored outside without a corral.

Discussion Items

  • Old Business – Architectural Board of Review: Docket No. 08-72-25 (C) – The View on Detroit East (13815/13901 Detroit Ave.)
    • Applicant Ron Tannenbaum (RDL Architects) presented two revised options (EFIS brick and fiber cement siding) for the previously approved mixed-use structure. After discussion about materiality, landscaping, and streetscape details, the board deferred final approval, requesting updated elevations, landscape plans, a night rendering, and further detail on fiber cement trim and corner planters.
  • New Business – Sign Review: Docket No. 09-73-25 – Black Sheep 216 (15719 Madison Ave.)
    • Applicant Dale Drummon proposed replacing existing lettering with black horizontal 'BLACK SHEEP 216' text in the sign band. Approved administratively with conditions: horizontal text, black lettering, no window graphics, and a revised dimensioned drawing submitted to staff.
  • New Business – Sign Review: Docket No. 09-75-25 – Berkshire Hathaway / Barr, Jones & Assocs. (18630 Detroit Ave.)
    • Applicant Megan Brooks proposed window and door signage for a shared law office/real estate space. The board approved administratively pending submission of a dimensioned elevation showing all graphics.
  • New Business – Architectural Board of Review: Docket No. 09-76-25 (C) – ADA Architects (17710 Detroit Ave.)
    • Applicant Brian Quinn proposed a 35 KW generator screened by board-on-board wood fencing on the west and north sides. Approved with condition that the damaged chain link gate be repaired.
  • New Business – Architectural Board of Review: Docket No. 09-77-25 (C) – North Coast Apartments (11730 Detroit Ave.)
    • Applicant deferred to the next meeting. Motion to defer carried.
  • New Business – Architectural Board of Review: Docket No. 09-78-25 (R) – 1457 St. Charles Ave.
    • Applicant Brandon Young proposed a new two-story single-family home with front porch. Approved with conditions: setback changed to match north neighbor (36'9"), and porch columns/beam to be painted (not natural wood) via administrative approval.
  • New Business – Architectural Board of Review: Docket No. 09-79-25 (R) – 17814 Riverside Dr.
    • Applicant Brandon Young proposed modifying an existing front dormer (steeper roof pitch, straightened wall) and replacing windows. Approved as presented.
  • New Business – Architectural Board of Review: Docket No. 09-80-25 (C) – 14414 Detroit Ave. (Commercial Building)
    • Applicant David J. Maniet proposed a rooftop deck enclosure using black hardy panel and glass, with a lightweight design. Approved as presented.
  • New Business – Architectural Board of Review: Docket No. 09-81-25 (R) – 1664 Lauderdale Ave.
    • Applicant Keyshawn Jones proposed enclosing the sides of an upper porch with vinyl siding. The board denied the application, citing city policy against permanent porch enclosures, and encouraged the applicant to work with the building department on structural solutions and temporary privacy screening.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved (minutes of August 14, 2025) – unanimous.
  • Deferred – The View on Detroit East (08-72-25) and North Coast Apartments (09-77-25).
  • Approved administratively – Black Sheep 216 signage (09-73-25) and Berkshire Hathaway signage (09-75-25).
  • Approved with conditions – ADA Architects generator screen (09-76-25) and new home at 1457 St. Charles (09-78-25).
  • Approved as presented – 17814 Riverside dormer (09-79-25) and 14414 Detroit rooftop deck (09-80-25).
  • Denied – 1664 Lauderdale porch enclosure (09-81-25).
  • Introduction – New staff member Leslie was introduced to the board.

Note: The agenda listed a sign review item for Leona's Custom Hats (Docket 09-74-25), but it was not discussed during the meeting.

Meeting Transcript

All right. I'd like to call to order the September 11th meeting of the architectural board of review, sign review. Board Board of Building Standards. Can we get the roll, please? Ms. Cohen Plessner here. Mr. Smith. Here. Mr. Agravery? Yep. Mr. Slaughterback? Here. And Mr. Stevenson is out today. The first item is to approve the minutes from the August 14th meeting. Did anyone have any comments or corrections? I will make a motion to approve. Can I get a second? Second. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. We get the opening remarks, please. Welcome to the Board of Building Standards Architectural Board of Review Sign Review Board. The purpose of the architectural board of review is to protect the value, appearance, and use of properties when buildings and homes are constructed or altered. In approving building plans, the board will take into consideration development of adjacent buildings and properties. All applicants as well as those members of the public who have come to offer comment when asked to come to the podium, please print and sign your name on the oath sheet and then clearly state your name and address into the microphone for the record. Please stay close to the microphone so we can capture an accurate record of all discussion. For those members of the public who have come to speak on a given proposal, we ask that you please keep your comments within five minutes to allow everyone an opportunity to comment. Questions and comments should be directed to the chair who will compile them and provide them to the applicant for discussion after everyone has had the chance to speak. We'll now begin with the regular business of the Board of Building Standards Architectural Board of Review signed review board. In case any members of the public are here and aren't sure what the purpose of this board is. This is under section 1325 in our code, and we'd be happy to chat about it if you have any questions. Thank you. This was approved uh summary approval with no conditions. Um so I'll make a motion to approve as presented. Can I get a second? Second. All those in favor? Aye. Moving on to old business uh for the architectural review, docket number 08725 for 13815 Detroit Avenue, the view on Detroit East. Uh real quick before the applicant uh gives her presentation. I just wanted to note that Planning Commission did approve this application at their meeting last week, and the conditions are listed here. Um I did send those out to the board earlier today so they could take a look at them. So if we have to come back to this, we can, but I'm gonna pull up their presentation separately. Um everybody. Uh my name is Matt Mendez.

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