Springboro residents to protest residential rezoning tonight

Residents of a local golf-course community are planning to oppose the proposed rezoning of neighboring land for residential development.

At 7 p.m. today, Springboro City Council is to hold a public hearing on rezoning of 2.3 acres at 1360 S. Main St., just north of the entrance to the Heatherwoode community.

MORE: Springboro sets aside $2 million for golf course

The property owners, the Daniel Family Trust, are seeking rezoning to allow the development of a 7-lot subdivision at a density, following the dedication of 0.22 acres of right-of-way along South Main Street, of 3.29 units per acre.

Shawn Hunter, president of Heatherwoode Homeowners Association board, said 50 signatures had been gathered on petitions to be presented to the council at the public hearing.

Hunter said there would be a “large contingent” representing the 212-home development also home to the city’s golf course.

MORE: Minister, incumbent’s wife square off in Ward 2 election

Hunter said Heatherwoode residents are concerned about the effect on their property values and traffic at rush hours and when school lets out across Ohio 741, Main Street in Springboro, at the junior high school.

“A lot of people didn’t know about it,” said Hunter, who said he discovered the proposed rezoning late last month when driving to the Christmas In Springboro festival.

“We really exist to preserve the community. Part of that is preserving the property values,” Hunter said Wednesday night.

This morning, City Manager Chris Pozzuto said it was uncertain how the development would affect property values.

“I can say generally, however, that historically, through many developments around the town, property values in Springboro have always increased over time,” he said.

After reviewing the plan, Hunter said he and the board were no longer concerned about the density of the proposed development, but still worried the homes built there could be valued lower than those in Heatherwoode.

Follow Lawrence Budd on Twitter

“It’s more the uncertainties,” Hunter said. “There are no assurances in terms of what these homes will look like.”

Residents are also concerned about the effect on tree lines and creeks shared by the developments.

MORE: Wife of deceased Springboro councilman to complete term

RELATED: 3 vying for City Council seats

Hunter said he had communicated with Pozzuto and sent the city a letter Wednesday about the residents’ concerns.

“We’re anticipating a crowd,” Hunter said.

The council is not expected to vote tonight on the rezoning. The council meets at 7 p.m. at city hall, 320 W. Central Ave. in Springboro.

About the Author