CLEVELAND (WJW) – The FOX 8 I-TEAM took a closer look at proposed new land use regulations for the site in Brook Park where the Cleveland Browns plan to build a dome, and found developers would be able to build almost anything with a few exceptions.
Friday, the Brook Park mayor shared with the I-Team a dozen pages of sweeping new zoning rules that have been proposed and must be approved by Brook Park City leaders.
Under “PROHIBITED USES”, the document lists “adult entertainment businesses” and “smoke shops.”
“PERMITTED USES” include “a Sport facility and all uses and purposes ancillary thereto : (ii) commercial, restaurant and retail, hotel, hospitality, entertainment, health care, hospital, residential, office, warehouse, retail, governmental and public.”
The Browns are hoping the Governor approves what lawmakers voted for last week. The House and Senate agreed to give the Browns $600 million to help build a dome, and they agreed on a measure to change the Modell Law that restricts sports teams from moving. The change would clear the way for the Browns to leave the stadium on the lakefront when their lease runs out after the 2028 season.
Governor Mike DeWine could take action as soon as Monday.
The Browns have promised to invest more than $1 billion of their own money in the project, and they’ve said any state money would be paid back with profits from the project.
As for the proposed zoning rules in Brook Park, Mayor Ed Orcutt told the I-Team, “It does streamline the process for development.”
The City of Cleveland is fighting in court to block the Browns from moving.
It’s not clear how the change in the Modell Law would affect cases in the federal and county courts.
Friday, lawyers for the city asked to have court deadlines put on hold until the governor makes a final decision on the change in the law .
The full budget and related measures were delivered to the governor on Friday for his review.
