Board denies use of West Park building for event space; community members ask for school security

Meeting coverage by Cleveland Documenters | Compiled by Signal Cleveland’s Doug Breehl-Pitorak

Here’s what happened last week in local public government meetings covered by Cleveland Documenters.

Cleveland Public Meetings Report – The week of Dec. 12, 2022

Handful of West Park residents oppose event center

Dec. 12 – Cleveland Board of Zoning Appeals
Covered by Documenters Karima McCree-Wilson and Giorgiana Lascu

City Planner Shannan Leonard presents recent examples of permits the city issued for event spaces. (Credit: Cleveland Board of Zoning Appeals YouTube / Org: Cleveland Board of Zoning Appeals).

What happened: The board denied a business owner’s request to use a West Park building as an event center. Precanna Brown, owner of LeSweets Party LLC, had leased the space to hold meetings, baby showers and retirement parties. Seven nearby residents urged the board to deny the request as did Ward 17 Council Member Charles Slife. City Planner Shannan Leonard said City Planning supported Brown’s request. Leonard said Brown, who is Black, sought to create a space where everyone — including people who look like her — would feel comfortable. She said the community had not welcomed Brown or her business. Slife and Board Chair Kelley Britt pushed back on that and Britt asked Leonard to stick to the zoning facts.

Focus on the landlord: Resident Susie Coreno said the community’s resistance has more to do with a permanent zoning change to the neighborhood than with Brown or her business. Rosemary Murdy, of West Park Kamm’s Corner Neighborhood Development, said the crux of the issue rests with a landlord who acts first and seeks forgiveness later, something she sees as a trend in Cleveland. Daniel Packis, representing his mother, who is listed as the property owner, said he did not realize the event space went against the zoning code when he issued the lease.And also: The board approved Jaishawna Bates’ request to operate a daycare in Ward 6. Bates intends to care for up to 12 children per shift.

The zoning case tied to Precanna Brown’s business dates back to 2021. Brown also discussed the issue in a March 4 City Planning Commission meeting.Want to learn more about zoning? Check out this

introduction to Cleveland zoning by City Planning’s Matt Moss.

Community members express concerns about school security

Dec. 13 – Board of Education Business Meeting, Cleveland Metropolitan School District
Covered by Documenters Kellie Morris and Nicholas Ventura

What happened: Five speakers – including parents and employees – addressed the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) Board of Education. Topics included school security and the $20 million donation from billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. Famika Bonner said CMSD needs to assign a full-time security officer to Marion C. Seltzer School, where Bonner works. Don Freeman asked CEO Eric Gordon if the district is capable of filling 63 vacant security positions by February 2023. Gordon said no.Deadline for selecting high schools: Gordon announced that the district is encouraging eighth-graders and their families to select high schools by Jan. 15, 2023. Learn more at CMSD’s school choice portal.

And also: The board approved the hiring of 41 employees, including teachers, substitute teachers, and paraprofessionals, who support teachers and students.

Get a history lesson on CMSD’s mayoral-appointed school board with this timeline from Signal Cleveland’s Paul Rochford.

Dec. 14  – Cuyahoga County Board of Elections
Covered by Documenter Marvetta Rutherford

Cuyahoga County Board of Elections (BOE) officials discuss building repairs, early in-person voting, and precinct maps. Left to right: Board Member Lisa Stickan, Deputy Director Anthony Kaloger (top right) and Director Anthony Perlatti. (Credit: Cuyahoga County BOE YouTube / Org: Cuyahoga County BOE).

What happened: The board formally acknowledged ward changes and precinct changes in six communities: Bay Village, Berea, Brook Park, Fairview Park, Garfield Heights and Parma. The city councils adjust the wards due to population changes, and the Board of Elections (BOE) adjusts the precincts, said Board Director Anthony Perlatti. You can find the precinct maps in this meeting’s board packet.

Capital improvements: Various repairs are ongoing at a building housing BOE facilities. Perlatti detailed challenges to elevator repairs at the Halle Building downtown, as well as a leaky roof at the Perkins garage. They also reviewed conditions at another building the board uses. Members discussed the possibility of relocating operations — including early in-person voting — for upcoming elections.

And also: The board acknowledged a staff report on early in-person voting for the Nov. 8 election. There were 261 “takeaway” voters who picked up a ballot from the early-voting location, and later returned it to the office or a curbside dropoff box. You can also find highlights of the report in the board packet.

Learn how board members are selected from Signal Cleveland’s Paul Rochford.


Civic Term of the Week:

Curious about more local-government lingo? Check out this glossary of terms from Signal Cleveland’s Paul Rochford.

What’s ahead?

A look at the meetings Documenters are set to cover the week of Dec. 19.