(Posted Oct. 26, 2023)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
Plans are in the works for two new housing projects on Keny Boulevard in London, west of Lafayette Street (State Route 142). One of the projects aims to build apartments for rent and townhomes for purchase. The other will see condominiums built for purchase.
These projects are among several housing developments around the city that are in various states of progress, from approval and planning to active construction.
On Oct. 19, city council held a second reading on a zoning change request for the proposed apartment and townhome project. The applicant, Al Coughlin of Pataskala, has asked that a total of 26.5 acres be rezoned from residential to multi-family planned unit development (PUD). The 26.5 acres surround existing apartment complexes located along Keny Boulevard.
Coughlin is looking to build 80 townhomes on 9.24 acres between Keny Boulevard Estates and Daines Village Apartments. He also is looking to build a total of 309 apartment units in multi-story buildings on 5.4 acres between the back side of Coughlin Automotive and Charter Club Apartments and on 12 acres behind Charter Club and Keny Boulevard Estates.
London’s planning commission approved Coughlin’s application on Sept. 14 and forwarded it to city council. Council will hold a public hearing on the rezoning request at its Nov. 16 meeting. After the hearing, the legislation will be up for a third reading and potential vote by council.
Coughlin’s other housing venture involves two parcels located off of Keny Boulevard and behind Merchants Bank and the adjacent strip mall. Earlier this month, London’s board of zoning appeals approved a conditional use permit that allows Coughlin to construct 22 double-unit condominiums equaling 44 total occupancies on the two parcels.
London Landing – single-family homes
In other housing news, the city’s planning commission and city council have approved the second phase of London Landing, a development of single-family homes located at the end of Jacob Lane and behind Graceland and Mariemont avenues. The first phase is moving along with 10 of the 61 homes completed and occupied and 40 under construction. The second phase will see 66 homes constructed.
GC Squared is the landowner and developer. Arbor Homes is the builder. The homes are priced from the high $200,000s to the low $400,000s.
Pulte Group – single family homes
London Mayor Patrick Closser reports that the Pulte Group is working on site and engineering items and firming up lot costs for a proposed development on 73 acres between State Route 42 (Lafayette Street) and State Route 142 (High Street). Pulte is looking to build 236 single-family homes, including ranch-style and two-story options.
Westwood Collective – apartments
Westwood Collective, a real estate developer based in Hilliard, continues to renovate several properties along South Main Street in downtown London, some of which will include apartment units on the upper stories. The group also is renovating the former hotel located between the railroad tracks on South Main Street. The plan is to convert it into 12 apartment units with two storefronts below.
Keny Station – apartments
Developer Mark Seimer had been working with the city over the past year on a proposed apartment complex named Keny Station to be located along Keny Boulevard between The Tire Shop & Lube and the Madison County Chamber of Commerce. The plan had called for 55 apartment units, a pool, and a clubhouse.
“As of now, they have tabled that project,” Closser reports.
