Heideloff Estate’s Owners Eye Big Changes
Plans — that include two additions and a five-car garage — presented to the city's architectural board of review.
Earlier this year, an elegant estate on Edgewater Drive was spared the wrecking ball as well as a proposed plan to build 14 single-story senior living homes on the property.
The property, commonly known as the Heideloff Estate, is once again giving neighbors a headache.
The new owners have proposed a huge home makeover on the 2.6 acre property at 13474 Edgewater Dr.
The blueprints — revealing several additions to the four-bedroom, 4.5-bath home — were presented last week to the city architectural board of review.
Mark Reinhold, the architect for the project, told the ABR that among the changes, the homeowners would like to include two additional wings on the home and a five-car garage.
The proposed wing facing west would include a small porch; and the wing facing east would feature a glass-conservatory.
Also, a standalone garden facility — made of cut stone — is proposed on the west side of the home.
Many of the proposed changes include incorporating lots of stone into the project, Reinhold said.
“We’re looking to keep the character of the existing house,” Reinhold said.
Some members of the architectural board disagreed, noting that that the proposed changes don’t fit in with the rest of the architecture in the neighborhood.
“I need convinced that this fits in on Edgewater Drive in Lakewood, Ohio,” said board member Michael Fleenor. “It really looks out of context.”
About a dozen residents in attendance also disapproved of the plans.
Dave Huffman, who lives near the home, wasn’t too happy with the plans.
“The neighbors are all concerned,” he said. “We hear wings, expansions and five car garages and we get concerned.”
Board members also said that the architectural plans were short on details.
Reinhold said more details are coming.
“Until the general concept is accepted, we don’t want to go stone shopping,” he said.
The board deferred a decision until its next meeting in November.
This isn’t the first time the home has been at the center of contention.
A proposal to demolish the $1 million home was scrapped in March.
City officials told the would-be developers that — under the zoning code — there could be no more than a dozen single-story homes built on the 2.6-acre property.
The company informed the city shortly afterward that it was no longer pursuing the project.
Lkwdmom
6:29 am on Friday, October 21, 2011
"The neighbors are all concerned,” he said. “We hear wings, expansions and five car garages and we get concerned."
Seriously...get a life...I wouldn't be "concerned" if my neighbors could afford a one million dollar house and could then afford to put on additions. With all of the issues going on in our world, these people are actually sitting around complaining about their neighbors additions...gotta love the "rich"...money but no common sense!
Pat Ballasch
11:56 am on Friday, October 21, 2011
Any type of construction will create some disturbance. In my opinion that's a small price to maintain and upgrade worthy structures. Lakewood's aging housing needs plenty of updating, maintenance and innovation. Google "cars" from the date most Lakewood homes were built (1910-1930). That will remind you what was going when these homes were built. It's imperative Lakewood residents and government embrace a positive pro renovation/ innovation attitude to keep the city healthy and vibrant. People should look at Lakewood as a place where they are comfortable making extensive investments in housing. The aging homes in Lakewood require lots of attention. Lets embrace the challenge.
Concerned Lakewood Neighbor
10:57 pm on Friday, October 21, 2011
These comments are a joke, I don't believe it is anyone's business whether a person renovates their home or not. I do not see everyone in Lakewood going to the Board of Architects every time a kitchen or bathroom needs to be remodeled. If we continue to discourage people renovating their homes in Lakewood, the property values in the city will be worth less than a penny in ten years. Lakewood homes need to be renovated rather than keeping architectural beauty under thertten wood found in several homes. We continue to encourage Section 8 property but we will not let people renovate their homes, I don't understand this. And as far as the distraction, that is ridiculous that we cannot handle noise for a few months but we can live near the railroad tracks and/or the highways and not think of that as a distraction.
Concerned Lakewood Neighbor
10:58 pm on Friday, October 21, 2011
You all need to get a life and worry about your own lives and houses!!!
Barb
3:03 pm on Monday, October 24, 2011
I agree; nearby residents need to get a life. Some folks have nothing to do but complain. After all, the alternative was a 14-story senior living complex. Sounds like a simple home renovation is a LOT better than a situation that would not only have resulted in temporary noise but permanent traffic and property enjoyment issues. Be upset but look at the larger picture. Someone who owns or lives in a million-dollar home is no more entitled to peace than anyone else. Pick your battles folks and learn to be resonable!
James Gray
3:46 pm on Wednesday, November 2, 2011
I am continually impressed with ignorance that neighbors exude in situations such as this. Not long ago the property was slated for 14 senior homes that would have a monumental impact on the density of the area. So one single family proposes a beautiful remodel which will not only increase the neighborhood appeal but will also increase the surrounding property values. Instead of praising the new owners, the short sighted neighbors bitch about a five car garage and accuse them of being narcissists? God forbid them from wanting to keep the family cars in a lovely structure that is screened from the public road. Maybe they should focus on subdividing the lot and turning it into a developement consisting of cheap row houses. Ones like the bitching neighbors currently reside in.
What a joke. Get a life people. Maybe focus your time and aggression on more humanitarian causes and learn to love your neighbors.