NORWOOD — Responding to developers' concerns, City Council has wrested design review responsibilities for “Cornerstone of Norwood” from planning commissioners.

        At a Thursday session of the council's community development committee, Dobbs Ackermann of Ackermann Enterprises and Ken Schon of Al Neyer Inc. said they didn't want to respond to ""too many cooks in the kitchen” when pitching the lighting, sign and landscaping plans to accompany their $30 million proposed development.

        They asked to work with one entity, and committee members agreed to assume the planning commission's design review responsibilities.

        “I want to create something that eases everybody's mind,” said Will DeLuca, committee chairman.

        On June 11, the full council will review the lease and service agreements and planned unit development (PUD) that the two development companies have submitted for four acres wedged between Interstate 71, Williams Avenue and Smith Road.

        Developers want to construct a five-story office building, three-story retail building, restaurant and two-level parking garage that will accommodate 837 vehicles. A one-story retail building also will be on the plaza level.

        Companies have razed homes and apartment buildings for the project, but construction cannot start until the PUD is approved.

        Because the city will own the parking garage, the service and lease agreements are necessary.

        Committee members discussed them at their Thursday session and said they will recommend approval on June 11.

        According to the agreements, the city will issue $7.4 million in revenue bonds to build the garage. All property tax revenues will be diverted to the city and go toward Norwood's bond debt.

        If the project fails and the city cannot keep up with the payment schedule, the developers have agreed to pay the difference.

        For the lease, developers will pay the city $1 a year and each year set aside $15,000 for a garage maintenance fund.

        Both agreements will terminate in 2031, and the developers will be able to buy the garage for $10,000.

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