Thursday, May 06, 1999
Madeira allows fitness center
But nursing home must limit use
BY ALLEN HOWARD
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MADEIRA — Paul and Elizabeth Horak, both 80, can breathe a sigh of relief.
A yearlong dispute over whether the Madeira Health Care Center could operate a fitness program has been settled and they can continue their exercises uninterrupted.
“It means a lot to us to be able to continue to exercise,” Mr. Horak said. “If you slow down, you will end up dead.”
A consent decree settled the dispute between the city and the center before a trial in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court, said Madeira City Manager Tom Moeller.
The dispute centered around whether the center could operate a fitness program in its building at 6940 Stiegler Lane, an area that was zoned residential when residents complained about the fitness center.
“Nursing homes can operate nursing programs in a residential zoned area, but retail outlets cannot,” Mr. Moeller said. “The fitness program violated the zoning code because they sold memberships to the public, which makes it retail.”
The city approved a zoning change in February for a 10- acre tract along Camargo Road and Stiegler Lane, where the nursing home is located.
That zone change allowed for office development, but still did not permit retail or industrial development.
News of the consent decree surprised residents who protested the operation of a fit ness center. They would not comment because they thought the case was in court.
If retail and industrial development are permitted in the new zoning, it could isolate several private property owners, such as Robert Bross, who lives next door to the nursing home.
Mr. Bross was among those residents who signed a petition against the nursing home operating the fitness center. He would not comment on the consent decree.
The agreement stipulates that the center can operate the program, but restricts the number of clients in the center at one time.
Lisa Weber, one of the owners, said only four people can be in the fitness center at one time.
She said it is agreed that the center will operate from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Friday; and from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.
People who attend the fitness center must park in an area not zoned residential, Mr. Moeller said.
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