Auroraadvocate.com - Hotel may become a facility for youth

by Ken Lahmers

Editor

Aurora -- The former Geauga Lake Hotel might not be vacant much longer.

At the planning commission's Sept. 17 meeting, representatives of Carrington Youth Academy outlined details for opening a children's residential center in the building at Route 43 and Treat Road.

The facility would provide academic, vocational, recreational and clinical treatment and services in a controlled, safe environment with 24/7 adult monitoring and a ratio of one adult supervisor to five children.

If City Council and the planning panel grant the Academy's conditional zoning certificate request, Carrington would purchase the hotel and the 11 acres it sits on from Cedar Fair Entertainment Co. A price has not been disclosed.

Bernard Pawlikowski, a Carrington board member, said Carrington would make $500,000 to $1 million in improvements initially. The facility would create 60 to 90 new jobs and carry a $4 million a year payroll, with about $200,000 in bed taxes going to city annually.

According to the academy's spokesmen, CRCs exist throughout Ohio and the nation, providing "damaged" children with safety, healing and hope that contribute to healthy, productive futures.

According to Pawlikowski, a portion of the building would continue to be operated as a limited service, traditional hotel, with the balance for the center serving ages 8 to 18.

"The CRC would provide temporary placement of children in need of care, with a goal of reuniting them with their families as quickly as possible," he explained.

IT WOULD be licensed and supervised by the Ohio Department of Jobs & Family Services and administered locally by county departments of job and family services and public children's services agencies.

Pawlikowski said the children would stay there only for a matter of a few days to a few months. The CRC would develop a specific course of treatment and instruction applicable to each child's needs.

He explained common reasons for placement include temporary foster care overflow, abuse, family-school-community problems, emotional disturbances and defiant behaviors.

Some of the children placed would have conditions such as anxiety disorders, mood and eating disorders, attention deficit disorder, emotional fragility and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Pawlikowski emphasized the facility would not be a detention center, mandatory court-ordered center for juveniles, disciplinary or punitive center or group home.

David Hart, a Cleveland area planning consultant, told planning panelists the Carrington Youth Academy would be compatible with the present permitted use of the former hotel.

He said the proposed use would not have any effect on the nature of the I-1 industrial zoning district in which the property is located, and would not create any dangers to health/safety or noise and traffic problems.

"If this plan doesn't pan out, other things could be allowed there that would not be as harmonious with the surroundings, or the building could set idle for many years and deteriorate or be torn down," he said.

HART SAID there currently is 35 percent open space on the site, and if another buyer acquired it, that could diminish.

Cliff West, a real estate consultant with Colliers/Ostendorf-Morris, said the property has been marketed to all comers, and the Carrington Youth Academy proposal appears to be the best one received.

According to city planner Denise Januska, a CZC first was issued for a hotel at the site in 1972 and was reissued in 1987.

She said the city's building department would have to do an extensive safety review of the structure before any occupancy can be granted.

Two local residents -- George Mazzaro and Robert Harris Jr. -- supported granting the CZC so the center could begin operating.

"With this plan, Aurora has the opportunity to help kids, and it should do so," Mazzaro said.

"Having reared a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, I favor such a facility," added Harris. "I think this facility can really do some good."

"There's definitely a need for these services," said Councilman John Kudley.

Planning-Zoning-Building Director Rich Wehrenberg urged panelists and other city officials who have questions to forward them to him, and he will present them to Carrington officials for answers.

Ward 1 Councilman Jim Vaca said he has a number of questions which he will forward to Wehrenberg.

He noted the planning panel has 90 days to act on the CZC application.

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klahmers@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3155