Bathrooms Will be Built on MetroPark Property

Lorain County Metro Park (LCMP) Director James Ziemnik presented plans July for a proposed bathroom to serve Kopf Reservation, but said new plans would move the bathrooms approximately 45-50 feet north out of Belle Road Park and onto a 100 x 150 foot MetroPark lot.

Initial plans for Belle Road Park bathrooms were scrapped.

“Through the course of time, several sites were considered,” Ziemnik told Avon Lake council. Those plans included a site by The Landings and one by the Avon Lake Public Library.

“It has to be in relative close proximity to utilities; it has to be safe and secure,” Ziemnik said. “We feel with great, great confidence, we can move that onto a parcel that is Park property.”

The presentation included three views of the building: a proposed split-faced block building that will be sided with a redwood “hardy board” similar to a building at the Forest Hills golf course in Elyria.

Police will have authority, cameras will be mounted

Councilman Larry Meiners asked what role the Avon Lake Police would have in patrolling the bathrooms if they were on park property.

Ziemnik said an agreement was in place for the local police to conduct routine and customary law enforcement service, and had primary enforcement.

Primary police responsibility will be Avon Lake.

Lt. Duane Streator said currently the city’s police department enjoys a solid working relationship with LCMP.

Ziemnik said the building will have exterior cameras at to-be determined locations on the building’s exterior and will be able to record who is coming and going into the facility and the surrounding area.

The doors to restroom would face south, a 4-foot high privacy trellis would be installed. The building will be locked at night.

City Council will not need to vote

The city might not have a say as to whether the building should be built.

James felt the issue was “beyond (Council’s) responsibility” and said he didn’t think Avon Lake City Council shouldn’t be commenting or voting on the issue, since it was technically on LCMP property.

“I don’t think there’s anything for us to do with this,” James said, noting that the construction would need to follow Avon Lake laws and be approved by the city’s Planning Commission.

Moving the bathrooms off city property and onto Lorain County Metro Park property does not change the need for the city to have some say on whether its built or not.

Assistant Law Director David Graves said the metropark is a partnership between the LCMP system and the city, and construction would not necessarily require council approval, as long as it was meeting city regulation. Graves will continue looking into clarification and report back to council, but council tabled any vote, citing a lack of need for it. 

LCMP could apply for building in 2013

Ziemnik said he expects to complete an application to Planning Commission in 2013 and would bid heading into colder months. He said if plans move along, the facility could be open by spring/summer of 2014.

“(We’re) probably looking at fall (2013) before coming back with plans,” Ziemnik said.

He also said he expected park visitors would park an the library.

The facility would be located 100-150 feet to the closest resident to the west on Belle Road and 500 feet from the south.

Mayor Greg Zilka asked how that compared to other LCMP facilities. Ziemnik said he was not sure. He also said he would work with Belle Road residents on concerns. Ziemnik said plans could shift slightly.

Attendees at the meeting seemed receptive. 

Resident Craig Hulbert, who opposed the bathrooms, was appreciative of the presentation.

“What I heard tonight has impressed me,” he said. “Everything is starting to look better.”

 He was still concerned the building could be as close as 60-feet to one home.

“We’re making headway,” Hulbert said. “I appreciate the idea of a compromise.”