Mentor Planning Commission Approves Firestone Auto Shop, Temporary Event Permits

Mentor's Municipal Planning Commission approved two markedly different conditional-use permits at its Aug. 13 meeting: a permanent Firestone automotive repair shop in the Heisley Road industrial corridor and a one-night anniversary event at a Mentor Avenue business.

The commission held its public hearing at 7 p.m. Aug. 13, 2026, to consider the two applications. Firestone sought approval for a Complete Auto Care Center at 5811 and 5799 Heisley Road in the M-1 Light Manufacturing District. Jarad Regano and CMR Realty, LLC, submitted the second application for a temporary event at 8827 Mentor Avenue, Unit A, in the B-2 General Business District.

Firestone Approved for Heisley Road

Firestone, part of Bridgestone Americas, is a corporate automotive repair and maintenance chain with more than 1,700 neighborhood locations nationwide. Its services include tires, oil changes, brakes, battery checks, alignments, engine repair, steering and suspension repair, tire-pressure monitoring system service, air-conditioning service, transmission and radiator service, and general vehicle maintenance.

The location fits into the continuing evolution of the Heisley Road/SR 2 area, which has developed as a commercial and business node with hotels, retail, industrial and office uses after being primarily industrial and manufacturing land through the 1990s and 2000s. Mentor's comprehensive plan targets the Heisley Road/Diamond Center area for new retail, hospitality, office and potential white-collar industrial uses.

During preliminary site-plan review, commissioners called for more masonry at the base of the metal-panel building, preservation of trees where possible, screening of rooftop equipment and better treatment of the public-facing south elevation. The plan includes 33 parking stalls.

The commission unanimously approved the conditional-use permit and site plan, subject to conditions involving tree clearing, building materials and architectural design.

Anniversary Event Approved on Mentor Avenue

Regano is listed as owner and investment adviser at Regano Financial Services, which lists its address as 8827 Mentor Avenue, Suite A, Mentor, OH 44060. Explaining the request to commissioners, Regano said, "we're having a 25th anniversary little shindig."

The one-night event is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, and is expected to feature a local band and two food trucks, with an estimated 70 attendees. Regano said it would run from about 6 to 9:30 p.m., with cleanup completed by 10:30 p.m.

The permit passed by roll-call vote after a public hearing in which no members of the public spoke in opposition. Approval was subject to four administrative conditions.

The city describes Mentor Avenue as its primary east-west route, with shopping centers and restaurants clustered along it; the broader Mentor Avenue District also includes retail, apartments and other businesses. Under Mentor's zoning code, retail activity conducted from a tent or temporary structure is regulated as a temporary event or sale and requires a conditional-use permit if it exceeds certain limits.

How Conditional Uses Are Reviewed

For conditional-use permits, commissioners consider whether a proposal will be in harmony with neighboring properties, adversely affect health or safety, change the character of a neighborhood, harm the public welfare or surrounding property, align with the purpose and intent of the zoning chapter and Comprehensive Plan, and comply with adopted policies for the proposed use.

The commission may attach conditions addressing setbacks, screening, noise, hours, traffic, glare, vibration, odors, dust, smoke and hazardous materials. That authority allowed commissioners to address the permanent design and site impacts of the Firestone project while placing administrative limits on the temporary Mentor Avenue event.

During a conditional-use public hearing, the applicant presents first, followed by people speaking in favor and then those speaking in opposition. The commission chair may also allow general questions to be addressed.

Meeting Access and Schedule

The seven-member Mentor Municipal Planning Commission consists of Patrick J. O'Donnell, John M. Perkovich, Richard M. Zaleski, George Hadden, Chairman John Crocker, Secretary Richard R. Thiedemann and Vice Chairman Geoffrey M. Varga.

The commission meets every three weeks on Thursday at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers on the third floor of the Mentor Municipal Center, 8500 Civic Center Boulevard. Meetings are open to the public and broadcast live on the Mentor Channel, Spectrum 1024, U-Verse 99 and the city's app for Roku, Apple and Android.