SOLON – A new 103-acre development project is in the works.
It's called Solon on the Lake and it includes residences, a boutique hotel, private villas, and the main attraction, a winery.
Developer Yisrael Harris of BNH Corporate Enterprises says it’s much needed in the community. But zoning issues may prevent it from ever breaking ground.
“Currently Solon doesn’t have a zoning classification for the project that he’s proposing,” said ward 3 council representative Jeremy Zelwin.
The property is located in the 39000 block of Bainbridge Road, east of State Route 91. The centerpiece of the property is a 22-acre lake, the largest of its kind in Cuyahoga County.
Currently, the land is slated for residential single-family homes to be built on 1 acre lots – as you’d typically expect for a housing development.
Harris’ plans include a winery that would have a 9,000 square foot wine cellar with an adjacent vineyard to support it. There would also be a number of shops and private villas and hotel space that Harris says is desperately needed to support businesses in the are looking to woo high-profile clients.
What Harris wants Solon residents to know is the majority of the property will be devoted to residential space. Including luxury townhouses and condominiums – styles of housing that aren’t prevalent in Solon, but are desired.
“Most of our housing stock is typical single- family housing that we’re all familiar with,” said Harris referring to Solon as a whole. He wants to attract people looking to get away from that. People who want amenities outside of the home
Harris believes, “you don’t want to live in [a house with] just walls, and bedrooms, and bathrooms. This is not the value that we see in housing. We’re looking for a lifestyle.” The winery and shops are part of that lifestyle.
Zelwin agrees the plans are great, but he in the wrong place – a site in the middle of other housing developments.
“The city is pro development, but the development has to be in the right area,” said Zelwin. “And putting a project of this magnitude and squeezing it into the acreage that’s there. It’s not the right piece of land for the project that’s being proposed.”
Harris, on the other hand, believe it’s the perfect place since there is nothing else like it in Solon. He believes the project would increase the property values for everyone around it, and will be a higher generator of tax revenue.
In order for Harris’ vision to come to life, the property needs to be re-zoned for Mixed-use instead of residential. However, a “mixed-use” classification doesn’t exist in the city. The city planning director is working to define what that would consist of.
Even when that multi-month process is complete, the rezoning will be in the hands of voters to approve.
Just like the differing opinions of Harris and Zelwin, residents too are undecided on the future of the property. Will a winery be headed to Solon? Only time will tell.