Auroraadvocate.com - Firm seeks takeover of hotel tract

by Brent Hovey

Reporter

Aurora -- A conditional zoning certificate is being sought by a company hoping to take over land occupied by the former Geauga Lake Hotel on Route 43 north.

City Law Director Alan Shorr made mention of the CZC application during his report at City Council's Sept. 8 meeting.

Shorr said a company listed as Grant Edward Enterprises LLC applied for a conditional zoning certificate for a "limited service traditional hotel and children's residential center."

Shorr said he would not provide any more details about the company and its plans at this time. But the proposed project is the first announcement about any of the land Cedar Fair Entertainment Co. is selling at the former Geauga Lake amusement park.

Shorr said it is too early to go into detail about what may or may not happen.

"I've met with some of their representatives," Shorr said. "I think I'd rather wait [to explain what it's all about] until details get further along. We have some idea, but there are a lot more details that need to be worked out."

A public hearing has been set on the CZC during the planning commission's Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. in Town Hall.

Ward 1 Councilman Jim Vaca pushed Shorr for more details, asking "So [the details will] be crystal clear at the public hearing?"

Shorr responded, "I don't know about crystal clear."

The parcel is one of three Cedar Fair has been attempting to sell since it announced the amusement side of the park was closing after the 2007 season.

On May 16, Cedar Fair accepted four sealed bids for more than 500 acres. Cliff West, managing director of land development for real estate consultant Colliers-Ostendorf Morris -- which handled the bid process -- said it would take six weeks to analyze the bids.

On Aug. 25, Stacy Frole, director of investor relations for Cedar Fair, said officials sold the 11 acres where the hotel is located, but is still negotiating with bidders for two larger parcels.

The property is zoned industrial, which according to Shorr allows a motel complex to be operated as a conditionally permitted use.

He said a conditional use must be evaluated and approved on a case-by-case basis by the planning commission and Council.

If denied at either level, the applicant can appeal to Portage County Common Pleas Court.

E-mail: bhovey@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3115