Amid concerns, Oberer shelves plans for new homes in Sugarcreek Twp.

A builder’s plans for homes on Wilmington-Dayton Road have been shelved after concerns emerged from neighbors and township officials over the potential development’s impact on the region.

Oberer Homes has withdrawn a zoning application for 113 homes on 42 acres, with an equal amount of space dedicated to preserving green space, according to a social media post from Sugarcreek Twp. Administrator Barry Tiffany.

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“It is our understanding that they will be considering alternatives for the property that take into consideration the thoughts and concerns of the neighbors and the township and may or may not be filing something different in the future,” Tiffany wrote on a neighborhood watch group Facebook page.

Neighbors have voiced concerns about the proposed sub-acre lot sizes, increased traffic and the potential impact to the Sugarcreek MetroPark situated across the street from the property.

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The plan was initially rejected in the zoning approval process because it didn’t take into account a thoroughfare plan established in the 1980s to straighten a 90-degree turn on Wilmington-Dayton Road.

Tiffany said in a telephone interview today that traffic has increased on that stretch of road because of residential growth south of the township, where people commute from homes to jobs at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

“The traffic was an issue,” Tiffany said. “To compound the problem without addressing the traffic needs isn’t a good idea.”

As Oberer Homes goes back to the drawing board, township officials have cancelled an April 24 public meeting that was scheduled at the middle school.

This news organization is reaching out to the developer for comment.

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