Ara Bagdasarian Speaks with Solon Rotary Club
Ara Bagdasarian, cofounder of Solon Community Living, speaks with Solon Rotary Club on February 21, 2020.
Zoning issue to create special needs housing
It was four years ago that Solon residents Ara and Leslie Bagdasarian identified a vision that involved the creation of a sustainable, safe housing community for their two adult special needs children. On the primary ballot March 17 is special needs zoning – one major step toward bringing that vision to life. Before city voters is Issue 19, a proposed amendment to the zoning code that would enact a new zoning classification, R-3-C MultiFamily Residential-Special Needs to about 4 acres at the southwest corner of Aurora Road and Portz Parkway. The matter must receive an affirmative vote in the affected [...]
Update: Solon to Vote in March on Issue 19: New Special Needs Zoning!
After months of public hearings and getting unanimous approval from the Solon City Council, the Mayor, and the Planning Commission, special needs zoning will be on the March 17 Ballot as Issue #19! Leslie and Ara Bagdasarian, founders of Solon Community Living, have achieved a major milestone by getting zoning language for this innovative living option officially on the ballot for Solon voters in Ward 6 and City wide to approve. R-C-3 (Multi-Family Residential-Special Needs) is similar to Solon’s senior zoning and will be on the ballot on March 17, 2020 as Issue 19. This new zoning code is specifically [...]
Two zone changes headed for March election ballot in Solon
Two zoning issues are slated to be on the spring ballot for Solon voters following action by City Council last week. Council approved submitting to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections for the March 17, 2020, ballot an ordinance that would create a new Multi-Family Residential- Special Needs zoning district and another to expand the restaurant uses in the C-2, restricted commercial, and C-6, General Commercial zoning districts. Both of these matters went through the three-reading process and public hearings by both the Planning Commission and City Council. The R-3-C Multi Family Residential Special Needs Zoning would be the first [...]
Solon voters may be asked to approve two more zoning issues in March
SOLON, Ohio -- Voters in this city will see two more zoning issues on the ballot in March if City Council approves legislation to send them to the electorate. On Monday (Nov. 4), council was introduced to two zoning ordinances, with public hearings held for each one. One ordinance would create a new zoning district, called R-3-C, a multi-family residential and special needs classification. It would be implemented for properties at the southwest corner of Aurora Road and Portz Parkway -- the proposed Solon Community Living project. Read the full article here. SOURCE: Ed Wittenberg, Special to cleveland.com
New zoning for special needs housing closer to spring ballot
A proposed new zoning classification to accommodate individuals with special needs is moving a step toward the March primary ballot following action by Solon city planners last week. The Solon Planning Commission closed a public hearing on the rezoning, the first of its kind for the city, and forwarded the matter, with their recommendation, to City Council. City Council set the matter for public hearing at its meeting Monday. The recommendation to move the R-3-C Multi-Family Special Needs zoning to the ballot, came with a great deal of support for the project, which would cost $3 million and create Solon [...]
Planners continue talk on proposed zone for special needs housing
City planners opened a public hearing last week on a proposed new zoning classification to accommodate individuals with special needs. The commission tabled the matter and will continue the public hearing at its next meeting, and a vote is expected to be taken at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 15. The issue is planned to be before city voters in March of 2020. Solon resident Ara Bagdasarian, who presented to city officials in May details of a proposal to build a $3 million nonprofit project for people with disabilities to live called Solon Community Living, said the adoption of this new classification [...]
Council lauds community living project proposal
With a goal to enrich the lives others and create sustainable housing in the city for individuals with disabilities, Solon residents Ara and Leslie Bagdasarian made a presentation to City Council Monday. In turn, City officials lauded the “Solon Community Living,” non-profit, long term supportive living option for individuals with disabilities that will cost $3 million. More than 30 residents, many of whom have children with special needs, turned out in support of the project. The Bagdasarians, whose adult children Alex and Julie have Fragile X Syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes intellectual disability and cognitive impairment, have their set [...]
Solon council moves forward on project to provide housing for those with disabilities
SOLON, Ohio -- City Council has referred to the planning and law departments a preliminary proposal to provide a 10-unit, nonprofit, long-term living option for adults with disabilities on vacant city-owned land off Aurora Road and Portz Parkway. The “Solon Community Living” project was presented to council on May 20 by Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities member Ara Bagdasarian and his wife, Leslie, president of the Fragile X Alliance of Ohio support group. Living in Solon for more than 20 years, the Bagdasarians have both a son and daughter with Fragile X syndrome, a genetic disorder for which there [...]
Parents Have Mission to Create Longtime Home in City for Special Needs Individuals
When both of their children were diagnosed as toddlers with Fragile X Syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes intellectual disability and cognitive impairment, Ara and Leslie Bagdasarian embraced a lifelong mission. "There was a clock ticking in the back of our heads," said Mr. Bagdasarian of Solon. Their children Julie, now 27, and Alex, 25, would have no siblings. They considered what life would be like for their children after the couple passed away. "That's what keeps me up at night," Mr. Bagdasarian said. That has inspired the Bagdasarians to work toward ensuring that the Solon community in which they [...]
