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Debate over Canal Winchester development rages on
(by Linda Dillman, staff writer - May 19, 2009)
Canal Winchester Council members chose their words carefully before taking action on a proposed apartment complex, but residents did not mince words and urged council to vote "no."
Fairfield Homes is seeking approval to construct a 40-unit senior housing development on a two and a half acre parcel behind Bolenbaugh Hardware. The planning and zoning commission turned down the request for zoning variances for the $3.5 million project on April 13 and the company is appealing the action to council.
Background
Owned by Trevcor Development LTD, the 56 E. Waterloo St. site is located in the preservation area and bounded by Long, Town, and Cherry alleys. Fairfield Homes asked for a trio of variances, including increasing density from six to 16.5 units per acre and from 12 to 40 units per building; decreasing the one bedroom unit size by nearly 200 square feet and the two bedroom requirement from 1,075 to 957 square feet; and reducing the percentage of open space.
Debate rages on
On May 4, residents opposing the project filled Canal Winchester Town Hall, citing traffic, security, density, and floodplain concerns. Expecting council to take action on May 18, a smaller, but just as vocal crowd pushed for denial of the appeal. Council President Rick Deeds said council was still in the information gathering process and planned on rendering a decision on June 1.
"When you make your vote, you are voting on what planning and zoning looked at," said resident Tony Note when the floor opened for public comment at the May 18 council meeting. "You are not voting on safety issues involved or other issues involved. The appeal was looking at increasing density from six to 16 units per acre. That is 275 percent of your code. It is almost triple the density. They want to move from 12 to 40 units per building. That's more than triple the code. They want to reduce the bedroom size and reduce open space. This will not work under our existing codes. Planning and zoning made the right decision based on what they were given. If you believe our existing codes are correct, you must back the decision by planning and zoning."
Resident Bob Rodenbaugh said, "The community garden has almost doubled in size (on the Canal Winchester site). Obviously, it's important and has grown in popularity. Take a walk over there. You'll find people enjoying that space."
Scott Thompson is the owner of the 2.5-acre site and addressed the council on May 18 through an e-mail to Canal Winchester administrators. He said, since he purchased the property eight years ago, talks with the village indicated the tract would be a good fit for a senior citizen project.
Thompson said when plans for a two-story, 60-unit building development with United Church Residences fell through, he approached Fairfield Homes with a similar idea.
"I had worked very hard on bringing exactly what the village communicated to me would be a perfect fit for my property," wrote Thompson. "I felt this would pass unanimously. I was extremely disappointed that the zoning commission turned this variance down...I believe that the commission was overwhelmed by the negative attack without the facts of my property by the neighboring property owners. Many of these neighboring property owners have used this field for their children to play in or have a garden planted there. When asked what they would like to see the field be developed as, the response was overwhelming that it should be a park or maybe condominiums. Please understand that I respect and understand the neighbors' concern of my property being sold and developed."
Thompson feels the project gives citizens a local residence option for aging parents, who could still take advantage of businesses within walking distance. Thompson said the multi-million dollar project would generate substantial property tax revenue while placing no burden on the school system. He asked council to investigate all of the facts and move the project forward.
"Would you like it in your back yard?" Paul Becker asked council. "If you do, put it in your backyard. Keep it out of ours."
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