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To: Carvana, LLC

Vote No!!! A Carvana Fulfillment Center Should Not be In Richmond Heights

The City of Richmond Heights must vote to reject the petition submitted by Carvana, LLC. Carvana is seeking approval from the City of Richmond Heights for a conditional use permit and modifications to a development plan to permit the construction of a glass, multi-tiered structure that will be located in the south end of the Galleria parking lot. The Planning and Zoning Committee rejected this proposal at a public hearing on November 21st, 2019. Carvana is appealing the decision to the city council on February 3rd (date changed from January 21st) and offering concessions that do not minimize the impact of the structure on the neighboring community.

Why is this important?

1. The proposed building WILL substantially, adversely affect the character of the neighborhood. It is designed to be "incongruent" with its surroundings and would serve as a 24-hour glowing beacon/advertisement to passing cars on HWY-64/40 and 170.

2. The proposed building Is NOT consistent with good planning practice. Good planning practice services the community in which is located with taxes revenue and jobs. It does not negatively impact nearby business tenants or residents. This facility will provide minimal tax revenue, be minimal staffed and will cause substantial injury to the value of neighboring property. Good planning practice also meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This fulfilment center could serve no future purpose and, if they went out of business, would require demolition.

3. The proposed building CANNOT be operated in a manner that is not substantially detrimental to the permitted developments and uses in the district. Currently all deliveries at the Galleria occur underground, as a requirement of the original Galleria development/agreement with the community. The Carvana fulfillment center would be serviced daily, during off peak hours (early morning), by a truck with a multi-car carrier trailer. The visual noise and literal noise of the structure would adversely affect the neighboring community.

4. The proposed building CANNOT be developed and operated in a manner that is visually compatible with the permitted uses in the surrounding areas. The structure is a multi-tiered, glass tower lit with color changing LEDs. By their nature, LEDs have superior directional output. The structure would be lit to be seen far-and-wide by passing cars on HWY-64/40 and 170. The surrounding residential neighborhoods, especially Berkshire neighborhood, would be adversely affected by the 24-hour light pollution, which cannot be screened or buffered due to the significant height of the structure.

The Planning and Zoning Committee of the City of Richmond Heights voted in agreement with ALL points stated above at a hearing on November 21st, 2019 and rejected this project.

Proposed concessions from Carvana and their legal team to reduce the height, dim lighting on one side, or provide compensation for landscaping to neighboring properties do not make the above statements any less true. Please sign this petition to show the city council members of Richmond Heights how to vote on Monday, February 3rd at 7:30 (date postponed from 1/21).

Category

Updates

2020-01-16 21:41:00 -0500

100 signatures reached

2020-01-16 15:37:09 -0500

50 signatures reached

2020-01-16 14:00:46 -0500

25 signatures reached

2020-01-16 13:08:32 -0500

10 signatures reached