set things up, so that as we continue to grow out, we don’t have to come back and rebuild infrastructure.” The city also stays focused on making sure that the cost of growth is not placed on existing residents. “We work very hard with the developers to make sure that they understand that if they come in and do a project, they’re expected to pay for those costs and not put that burden on the existing population,” Schechinger stresses. In terms of residential development, Solon continues to take a measured, strategic approach. Each proposed development is evaluated against the city’s comprehensive plan, which outlines density goals in detail.“In every development that comes in, we step through and make sure that everybody’s aware of what that density is going to be, where the areas are that we want to have the higher density, and if we want to step back from a commercial area to a single family residential,” highlights Schechinger. Solon’s planning process also leaves room for mixed-use opportunities in designated areas. “Every one of them is looked at independently, and council and planning and zoning spend a lot of time talking through things with the developers to make sure we understand what we’re getting and that it’s appropriate and consistent with our comprehensive plan,” he notes. Expansion of the downtown area is also in the works, and the city has purchased several properties to prepare for development opportunities. “We are willing to consider whatever is appropriate, but there are some pretty good criteria for what the city wants to see,” states Schechinger. “We’re going to be picky about it because that’s an area that we are particularly proud of, and we want to make sure that we do it right.” AN IDEAL PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, AND GROW “We have something pretty special going on here in Solon,” imparts Brian Brandt, Solon Economic Civil Environmental Structural Transportation BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS 8 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 07
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