Planning Commission To Consider A Permit For The Open Office To Use Coventry

The Cleveland Heights Planning Commission will consider granting a conditional use permit to The Open Office at its meeting at 7 p.m. today in .

The Open Office provides office space and conference rooms for people who work from home, freelancers and independent consultants, said founder Andrew Auten. He began looking for space about a year ago when he started the company and wants his first location to be in the .

Auten attended in May to discuss the reuse plans for the school, and the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School Board for The Open Office for 4,000-square-feet at $2,167 per month at its Jan. 3 meeting.

But the lease isn't official until the Planning Commission gives the company a conditional use permit, which spells out rules and guidelines for using the old elementary school.

For example, new tenants must make sure that their business does not disrupt neighbors, so hours, traffic (from both pedestrians and cars) and other possible disturbances must be considered.

In August, Cleveland Heights City Council that allows more types of industries to use vacant buildings such as churches, libraries and the former Coventry School. Businesses and organizations with an educational purpose could already use these vacant buildings in residential districts, with conditions.

The , , Family Connections and currently occupy space in the building where Euclid Heights Boulevard, Coventry and Washington meet.