The Landmarks Commission determines whether buildings, sites or historic districts are eligible for designation as landmarks. They also review and approve building and demolition permits for Designated Cleveland Landmarks and Districts.

Here is who serves on the Landmarks Commission

you can find the agenda for the meeting here: and today's meeting's presentation materials here: planning.clevelandohio.gov/landmark/agend… dropbox.com/scl/fo/fcgn5ha…

The meeting begins at 9 am - I'll be streaming it via YouTube, ✨ and you can too ✨ using this link:

many of the items on today's agenda involve residential properties in historic districts. there are also some new additions to the cultural gardens -- including some toilets (be still my heart!) and also very cool, designating the Jesse Owen's house as a historic landmark

the livestream started - the landmarks commission does hybrid meetings, with some participants at City Hall and others attending via WebEx. There are 22 participants signed in. livestream:

today's first meeting item is about Geraci's Slice Shop, on the Prospect end of the 5th St. Arcades. Jason Beudert & Chelsea Williams are are trying to get approval for their fenced-in patio. Landmarks staff says the fence style and astroturf are inappropriate for the site

design review approved a fence & turf, but the slice shop never got landmarks approval. a point of contention is that the fence is different from an existing fence on this historic building (Barrio's patio) the slice shop originally proposed a simpler fence + planters

A motion was approved 7-1 to OK the fence + turf w/ the stipulation that they have to cut this piece of turf back to the fenceline Michele Anderson voted no

next up: new construction of a house in Little Italy There were supportive public comments from Blaine Griffin (area councilperson) and the Little Italy Redevelopment Corp it was approved unanimously, but still needs to get approved by zoning appeals

next up: the Hungarian Cultural Garden is seeking approval of a proposed gravel walkway. Also seeking retroactive approval of a steel sculpture that was previously installed in June 2021 & two new monoliths installed in 2022.

some discussion about gravel sizes: Landmarks staff would prefer a smaller, #8 size gravel which is better for accessibility. The garden proposed larger #57 gravel which was described as packing down flat, not sinking, and "not enticing to be picked up & thrown by youth"

a motion to approve all three improvements to the Hungarian Garden were approved. the motion included some language about ensuring ADA accessibility - so maybe the stone size question will continue to roll on

next up: approval of a previously-installed Ohio historical marker at the African American Cultural Garden. The marker celebrates the garden's designation on the Cleveland Civil Rights Trail approved unanimously

next: replacing wood siding with vinyl siding on a house at 3052 Albion Rd lots of discussion about the width of the siding with the homeowner preferring a smaller size, the landmarks commission preferring a wider one. it was tabled for now

next up: demolition of two properties on Grantwood Ave in Glenville

someone (unidentified, not visible on screen) went over a detailed history of the properties. It's unclear who the architect of these houses is, but it may be Bert W Corning. An interesting tidbit about Bert: he allegedly introduced apartment porches to Cleveland

after a very detailed discussion of the history of the properties and powers the commission has and doesn't have under Ohio revised code, 2 motions to table the demolitions were approved unanimously

moving on to concept reviews - first up: construction and renovation of 3 houses on Clinton Ave in Ohio City apparently concept reviews don't get voted on or approved -- they serve as an opportunity to consult w/ the landmarks commission before coming back with a final proposal

Next up: a rear addition to a house at 4304 Franklin Blvd in Ohio City There's a lot of architecture talk about how this mid-century modern look may not be appropriate. moving on after an excruciating 30+ minutes

Get hyped - next up is a discussion of permanent public toilets in Rockefeller Park, on the Centennial Plaza in the Cultural Gardens. These would be pit toilets like are common in the Metroparks.

City parks staff will be responsible for cleaning and maintenance, including locking the toilets at night. Toilets would be open seasonally, during warm months when the gardens have programming.

last up: designating the Jesse Owens house as a historic landmark. This is the house where Jesse Owens lived when he set a bunch of world records & competed in the 1936 olympics Nomination process for this house has taken a decade "due to circumstances" that were not detailed

Jesse Owens house landmark designation approved unanimously. City Council will need to formally approve the designation at a future council meeting

and after approving minutes from previous minutes, and after 4+ hours, the landmarks commission meeting adjourned!!

I'm glad to see a plan for public restrooms in the cultural gardens - I am curious what it would take to see more public and accessible bathrooms installed in more public places 🚽 The landmarks commission isn't the place I would've expected that discussion to be had!

That concludes my coverage of today's Landmarks Commission meeting. Thank you for reading along with me today! Have questions? Think we got something wrong? Send any inquiries on the meeting or these tweets to @cledocumenters. Or email us at cledocumenters@gmail.com