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The company planned to build a three-story 23,000-square-foot building on 10.8 acres of Sugar Camp land for what will be its headquarters.
Oakwood City Manager Norbert Klopsch said the amended plans included a change in the size of the building.
“The biggest changes are the building design was changed from 3-story to 2-story,” he explained. “The building size was reduced from 22,000 square feet to 16,600 square feet, and the parking lot was moved from the south side of the building to the west side of the building.”
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Code Enforcement Officer Ethan Kroger said that in November of 2017, council approved a special use request to construct a 3-story, 22,000 square foot office building to serve as the headquarters for Russell Wealth Management, but the approval lapsed because construction wasn’t completed, and the process required a new site plan approval.
“The applicant proposes a slightly different location for the building within the site,” Kroger said. “While the building has been substantially scaled down in size, it will be positioned closer to West Schantz Avenue and will have a setback of 121.6 feet. The setback from the Pointe Oakwood neighborhood is 117.1 feet.”
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He added that the parking lot will move north in front of the proposed two-story building. The number of parking spaces has increased from 30 to 33.
“The applicant is proposing to add a monument sign located at the primary ingress and egress off of Sugar Camp Circle,” he said.
Kroger said that city staff recommended approval once again for the project, with some added conditions.
Any final landscape plan must be approved by the city horticulturist, and the monument and building signs must receive gain final approval from city staff. Also, architectural details and materials must compliment existing buildings located within Sugar Camp.
Jerad Barnett, president and CEO of Synergy Building Systems, now the developer for the project, said that his company looked at “right-sizing” project and said the new dimensions seem to be a better fit.
“I think the most noticeable positive change is from Pointe Oakwood, as you’re looking up the hill not only is the building 30, 40 or probably 50 feet at the farthest point away, but it is now what was a originally a four-story structure to a two story structure,” he said. “I think we had an opportunity to make it even a little bit better for surrounding residents.”
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Barnett said the goal is to break ground in September on the project and have it completed within a year.
Oakwood resident Barb Cerny said she is in favor of the new amended plan and is glad that council and the new developer went back to drawing board.
“I’m perfectly happy with the new plan,” she said. “I think it will be a nice addition now to Oakwood instead of the monstrosity it was the last time.”’
Councilman Rob Stephens agreed, saying, “I like this plan better and I think it looks good.”
The biggest changes to the newly approved plan for Russell Total Wealth Management in Oakwood:
• The building design was changed from 3 stories to 2 stories.
• The building size was reduced from 22,000 square feet to 16,600 square feet.
• The parking lot was moved from the south side of the building to the west side of the building.
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