The property lies north of Troy-Urbana Road and west of DeWeese Road and was annexed around a decade ago. Its current zoning is Agriculture-Residential with Harlow asking City Council to change the zoning to R-1 single-family residential.
Some who spoke at a recent public hearing before Troy City Council and before a council committee late last week questioned the lack of detailed plans for the proposed project and lack of city control over development.
City resident Steve Kalmar, a former city planner, suggested council deny the R-1 zoning and ask for a planned development proposal in which more details are required to be outlined before any council vote.
“Let’s see what the idea looks like,” Kalmar said, adding detailed plans are part of a developer’s cost of doing business.
Harlow, though, said he is proposing a traditional development under the R-1 zoning versus a planned development in which the developer has more leeway in design. “We want to work with the city and give them control,” he said
He said the site is perfect for the development he has in mind for its wooded areas.
“It’s going to be beautiful (with) acre lots, tree lines,” Harlow said. Lots will include some overlooking water, which usually sell first in a development, he said.
Robert Brumbaugh, a resident of nearby Staunton Twp., told the council committee some trees in that area could be pre-1803 when Ohio became a state. He questioned how many trees would be removed.
The city’s subdivision regulations require preservation of as many trees as possible, said Patrick Titterington, city service and safety director.
The city Planning Commission this fall recommended the council approve the rezoning. The city staff told the commission it liked the proposed zoning of the land that could serve as a buffer between agricultural land in the county and established neighborhoods to the south in the city.
Council’s law and ordinance committee recommended council approve the rezoning following a meeting Dec. 5.
Councilman John Schweser, the committee chairman, said the project would add a new type of lot to the city housing inventory, improve the targeted property with water retention measures and, with added residents in that part of town, help business in the nearby shopping center off North Market Street.
The full council vote on the rezoning won’t be made until early next year.
Contact this reporter at nancykburr@aol.com
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