Cleveland Arts District Query Moved To September

An early inquiry into uses permitted in the new Transit Oriented Development Downtown (TODD) Zone was put off Wednesday until next month for lack of notice to surrounding property owners.

William Santoriello, who has been involved in historic preservation and restoration since 2001, was seeking an interpretation of whether a showroom and office for his business, along with an art studio, would be a permitted use at 417 Cleveland Avenue. The matter was on the agenda, but Zoning Board of Adjustment Attorney Peter Vignuolo said  Wednesday night he ruled it could not be heard without notice.

Cleveland Avenue, anchored at East Seventh Street by the historic Grace Episcopal Church, extends three blocks north to the main train station. Currently it includes the well-known E&A Restaurant Supply, a state Division of Developmental Disabilities office, several auto-related businesses, a pre-school and a city parking lot.

Click on image to enlarge

 Among 11 elements of the TODD Zone, the two blocks in beige on the map are designated as the Cleveland Avenue Arts District. Permitted uses include a nightclub, art gallery, art studio, museum, restaurants, office, retail sales, tavern, bank, child care center, mixed-use structure, health and fitness club and personal service establishment.

Creation of the TODD zone is part of the city's bid for Transit Village designation, which would help the city obtain state grants and development funds to improve the area around the TODD area. In May, the City Council passed an ordinance designating the Transit Oriented Development Netherwood (TODN) zone around the Netherwood train station. See the map and ordinance here.

To learn more about the Transit Village initiative, click here. As far as Plaintalker knows, the city's application is still pending.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment meets on the first Wednesday of the month. The next meeting is 7 p.m. on Sept. 4 in City Hall Library, 515 Watchung Ave.

--Bernice