MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio -- As the result of a recent Middleburg Heights Zoning Committee meeting, a corner lot at Engle and Sheldon roads is poised to be rezoned from Motor Services to General Business District.
Committee members expressed support for the request, with City Council next slated to receive the proposal for possible final approval.
Danny Dakdouk, whose family has owned the site at 17791 Sheldon Road since 1991, appeared before the Zoning Committee Sept. 13 and explained his plans for the half-acre, irregularly shaped property on which a Dairy Deli currently sits.
He said plans in 2005 were to operate a gas station there.
“We are scrapping that idea,” Dakdouk said, explaining that the current structure would be demolished to allow for a new building. “Currently, we are in the first phase with the architect, and we’ve got the ball rolling.”
Committee Chairman John Grech indicated that he had spoken at length with Mayor Matt Castelli about the proposed zoning change.
“He is 100 percent behind this project,” Grech said. “It makes all the sense in the world to me. If you’re not going to have a gas station, then there is no sense in being zoned for that.”
Grech called it “a no-brainer.”
Building Commissioner Norm Herwerden agreed.
“It had always been functioning as a convenience store there and … the owner didn’t go forward with (operating a gas station),” Herwerden said. “The new building will be more useful on that lot. I think it will be a nice improvement on that corner, and it certainly fits in with the other zoning in that area.”
“I welcome (the project),” added Councilman Bill Meany. “I know they’ve been working on this idea for a while.”
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