By Andrea Cordle
Southwest Editor
At the April 6 meeting, Grove City Council approved a preliminary development plan despite concerns regarding the local infrastructure.
With a 3-2 vote, council approved the draft plan for the Quarry at Pinnacle, located on the southwest corner of White Road and State Route 104. This is a proposed residential subdivision that would include 180 single family homes and 29 condominiums on about 60 acres. The proposal also calls for a 10-acre park.
According to the developer, Joe Ciminello, this housing development would be an extension of the Pinnacle Club development.
“It’s compatible with the area,” he said. “It feels like it was part of Pinnacle to begin with.”
Though council members were complimentary of the preliminary plan, some were concerned about the added traffic this development would bring to State Route 104. This is not a new issue for council members. In 2019, council approved the Farmstead development plan to build more than 500 housing units at the Farmstead-Hancock property, located on the westside of State Route 104 and east of Hawthorne Parkway. Earlier this year, council approved the Sugar Maple Commons plan, to build a 105-unit apartment complex for those 55 and older, located south of Holton Road and west of State Route 104.
“We are just pouring more traffic on 104 with these developments,” said councilman Ted Berry who voted against the Quarry at Pinnacle proposal. “We need to address the infrastructure before we put more traffic on that route.”
Council president Christine Houk also voted against the preliminary development plan citing concerns about the demand it would put on the existing infrastructure.
Councilman Roby Schottke voted for the plan but shared concerns about State Route 104, saying he believes the speed limit should be lowered on State Route 104. He also said the state should allow for a traffic signal at White Road and State Route 104.
According to City Administrator Chuck Boso, the city has had ongoing discussions with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) regarding State Route 104 and the state does not believe a traffic signal is warranted at the White Road intersection.
Members of the city’s administration were scheduled to meet with ODOT officials in March to discuss current projects in the area, but that meeting was put off due to the coronavirus. A meeting has not been rescheduled yet.
Ciminello said a traffic study would be included in the final development plan.
