Lakewood Board of Building Standards/ABR/Sign Review Board Meeting - January 8, 2026

The Board of Building Standards, Architectural Board of Review, and Sign Review Board met jointly on January 8, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Auditorium. The meeting covered roll call, approval of minutes, election of officers, old business, new business including sign review and architectural review, and a building standards appeal.

Roll Call and Minutes Approval

• Members present: Ms. Cohen Plessner, Mr. Aggerberry, Mr. Slaughterbeck. Mr. Stevenson was absent.
• Minutes from the December 11, 2025 meeting were approved with a motion and second; one member abstained due to non-attendance.

Public Comments & Testimony

• 1114 Forest Road (new home): Three residents spoke in opposition, citing the proposed home's incompatibility with the historic Clifton Park neighborhood, concerns about scale, massing, and adverse effects on property values. One speaker noted the lot had been vacant for 60 years and was considered unbuildable. Another speaker, a sponsor of the National Register nomination for Clifton Park South Historic District, stated the proposal is dramatically incompatible.
• 15501 Madison Avenue (Vital Pilates addition): Two nearby residents spoke about parking and traffic safety concerns, and requested better lighting fixtures that do not spill onto neighboring properties.
• Other items: No public comment was offered for several sign review items or other dockets.

Discussion Items

• Old Business – Docket 12-114-25 (1114 Forest Rd): Applicant Jason Leone and builder Matt Bowen presented plans for a new single-family home on a corner lot. Board members requested additional context renderings, including views from both Forest Road and Clifton Boulevard, to evaluate scale, massing, and compatibility with the neighborhood. The board also asked for a landscape plan, a traditional brick chimney on the Clifton elevation, and more detail on the north elevation to address the secondary frontage. Public comments were heard. A motion to defer passed unanimously.
• Old Business – Docket 12-108-25 (13318 Madison Ave): Applicant absent; window graphics already installed. Board approved the signage, noting 13.5 sq ft was acceptable for the small storefront, slightly over the 9 sq ft allowance.
• Sign Review – Docket 01-01-26 (13523 Detroit Ave): Little Buckeye Learning Center proposed reusing an existing monument sign with new lenses, plus a bear logo and window graphic. Approved unanimously.
• Sign Review – Docket 01-03-26 (1435 Warren Rd): CPR Ohio proposed channel letters on a raceway. Approved with condition that raceway be painted to match brick and that any window/door signage come back separately.
• Sign Review – Docket 01-04-26 (14519 Madison Ave): Spin Bike Shop proposed neon window signs. Approved as presented.
• Sign Review – Docket 01-05-26 (15640 Madison Ave): CB Photo proposed small window graphic. Approved (staff spoke on behalf of applicant).
• Sign Review – Docket 01-09-26 (2007 Carabel Ave): Absolute Legends & Collectibles proposed window decals and superhero logos. Approved with condition that posters are not included.
• Sign Review – Docket 01-10-26 (2035 Quail St): Birdtown Brewing proposed wall sign and a large painted mural on the rear parking lot. Board deferred, requesting a comprehensive sign package for the entire property, accurate mural dimensions, and context photos.
• Sign Review – Docket 01-11-26 (13439 Detroit Ave): Forevergoldencle proposed window and neon signage (already installed). Approved despite board member noting asymmetrical layout.
• Architectural Board of Review – Docket 01-06-26 (16806 Madison Ave): Cini proposed storefront paint (red door, black trim) and future neon sign. Approved with condition that sign be submitted separately.
• Architectural Board of Review – Docket 01-07-26 (15501 Madison Ave): Vital Pilates & Wellness proposed a second-floor addition. Board requested accurate renderings, technical drawings, context elevations, material specs, a photometric plan for new lights, and a site plan showing sidewalks and adjacent buildings. Deferred.
• Architectural Board of Review – Docket 01-08-26 (14819 Lake Ave): Applicants Jake Szaraz and Lizandra Gonzalez proposed a front porch addition. Board expressed general support but required technical drawings with dimensions, material labels, and a site plan showing alignment with neighboring porches. Deferred.
• Architectural Board of Review – Docket 01-12-26 (17620 Riverside Dr): (Mentioned in agenda but not discussed in transcript? Possibly deferred or not reached.)
• Building Standards Appeal – Docket (17620 Riverside Dr): Applicant (Daniel Margulies?) appealed a citation regarding exterior wall insulation. The addition was built with 2x4 walls (R-15 insulation) instead of the approved 2x6 walls (required R-20 or R-13+5). Board noted that the current R-15 meets the OHBA alternative path for new construction. A motion to approve the appeal passed (allowing the as-built condition).

Key Outcomes

• Election of Officers for 2026: Hannah Cohen Plessner was re-elected as Chair; Chris Eggerry was elected as Vice Chair. Motion passed unanimously.
• Deferrals:
  • Docket 12-114-25 (1114 Forest Rd)
  • Docket 01-10-26 (2035 Quail St) – Birdtown Brewing
  • Docket 01-07-26 (15501 Madison Ave) – Vital Pilates
  • Docket 01-08-26 (14819 Lake Ave) – front porch addition
• Approvals: All other dockets were approved as noted, with some conditions.
• Meeting adjourned after the election.

Note: The agenda listed a pre-review meeting as cancelled; the review meeting proceeded as scheduled.