Mayfield Library Plans Approved by Planning & Zoning Commission

County library officials have just one more hurdle to clear before breaking ground on a new at 500 SOM Center Road.

Planning & Zoning Commission on Monday approved a final site plan for the project and recommended that Village Council approve a special use permit for the property. The permit, to be voted on at council's Feb. 21 meeting, is needed because a portion of the development is on land zoned for residential use.

Architects from URS and library officials presented plans at a council caucus meeting, also on Monday. Tracey Strobel, deputy director of the Cuyahoga County Public Library system, said the design process is almost compete and they hope to break ground this spring on the 30,000-square-foot, one-story building.

The library was designed to blend in with the natural surroundings of the area, which is near wetlands, the and the campus. Although there are wetlands on a portion of the library property, that is not the area where the building will be, according to Diane Calta, village assistant law director.

A canopy will block direct sunlight and glare while allowing light to enter the building. There also will be an opening in the canopy to allow three trees to extend through and over the building.

"I'd just like to say that it's an outstanding project," Council President Bill Buckholtz said. "The whole design looks wonderful."