A standing room only crowd filled the Bellefontaine City Council Chambers on Tuesday as a proposal to develop a 15-acre site into condominiums was presented to the Planning Commission.
Jeremy and Erin LeVan acting as agent for Steve A. Cummings of Marysville have asked the commission to rezone the R-1 (single-family) property between Heatherhill and Greenridge drives south of Reservoir Road to R-3-C (condominiums).
Many attendees live on neighboring properties and they are concerned the development will lower property values in the area, increase traffic through the neighborhoods, change the complexion of the residential community or the project could change hands and be developed in a different manner.
Rezoning requests are the first step in a development process. Plat approval and site engineer plans will follow and those also will have to meet city scrutiny.
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City residents await the start of Tuesday’s Bellefontaine City Planning Commission meeting. (EXAMIENER PHOTO | JOEL E. MAST) |
The planning commission voted 5-2 to pass the rezoning request onto city council.
Mr. LeVan explained the Allen Woods development could have as many as 56 single-family patio homes, but it could be less depending on land needs for drainage issues and streets.
He plans to construct streets that will meet city standards for acceptance as public roads. Many condominium developments do not bother to seek public street standards and choose to maintain the roads privately.
The homes will be 1,500 to 1,900 square feet and range in price from $180,000 to $220,000 and possibly more depending on the interior options.
All will have the same basic color scheme and appearance on the outside. Vehicle access to the community will be off County Road 10, and access to the Whispering Pines development will not be available at first.
Mr. LeVan said it could be added later.
Ideally, he hopes to save as many trees as possible, clearing just enough for the condos and for the streets.
City Engineer Tim Notestine said the development will have housing density slightly more than allowable under R-1 rules. However, condominium associations can tightly control the type of allowable homes, he noted, whereas there are no such restrictions.
Logan County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Paul Benedetti who lives near the development spoke in favor of the development.
“Speaking from an economic development standpoint,” he said, “suitable housing is one of our biggest challenges.”
Housing options are limited around the community and this development would allow “empty nesters” to move from their large family-oriented homes into smaller residences. That would have a cascade effect, he noted, opening up housing options for working families.
Ruth Bowden, who lives on Turner Road, is one such potential customer for Allen Woods.
“I have a home with 2,800-square-feet on the main floor,” she said. “It’s just too big for me. I have a lovely home for a family.
“I would be greatly interested in this condo development. I’ve been here for more than 40 years and I don’t want to move from the community.”
Realtor Doug Zimmerman said he does not think the condominiums will affect home prices in the area.
He believes 40 percent of the condos would sell to young couples where both are employed and to empty nesters with means to afford the properties.