In June of 2014, the Planning Commission of Norwood, Ohio held a public hearing and voted unanimously to recommend a change to the city’s zoning map. The move would convert a large parcel along the south boundary of the Norwood — adjacent to the current site of Wasson Way — from a Heavy Manufacturing District to a General Business District (Planned Unit Development). Two months later, City Council passed an ordinance approving the change. Among other things, this new zoning district prohibited the land from being used for the following purposes:
- Fuel / recharging station
- Automotive service and minor repair
- Automotive / Truck Rental Ageny
- Sale of new motor vehicles
- Class B retail (which includes establishments selling automotive equipment or parts)
Current and former elected officials and members of the Planning Commission have indicated that the zoning was changed in response to the city’s lengthy history of being oversaturated with mom-and-pop car dealerships.
Fast forward to November 17, 2017, and the Pond Realty Group, which is affiliated with the Joseph Auto Group, purchased the land in question for approximately $3.15M. Allegedly, there was a handshake agreement between them and the mayor at the time, which would allow them to put a dealership on the parcel, even though the 2014 ordinance explicitly prohibited such a use.
Nearly three years later, on October 7, 2020, the Pond Realty Group presented a 3.35 acre Planned Unit Development to the modern-day Planning Commission (video of that meeting) and requested that they recommend to Council that the 2014 ordinance be reversed. Such a move would allow Joseph Volkswagen to build a new dealership on that land. By a vote of 3-2, the Commission passed a recommendation, which is being considered by Council as of November 2020.
If Norwood City Council votes “yes”, Joseph Auto Group will put a massive car dealership on some of the most valuable real estate in Norwood. A “no” vote from Council would force Joseph to go back to the drawing board — hopefully for our proposed alternative.
The win-win situation for which Protect Our Trail is advocating would see the Joseph Auto Group put in a mixed-use development that could become an entertainment district for Norwood residents and trail enthusiasts alike.