SPRINGBORO HOUSING PLAN ADVANCES
Council’s conditions defuse opposition from neighboring residents.
The Springboro SPRINGBORO —
City Council on Thursday rezoned and conditionally approved the general plan for housing on 2.3 acres on Main Street in Springboro.
The housing development, to be known as Streamside at Heatherwoode, had been opposed by residents of the 212-home Heatherwoode community.
Before construction, the local planning commission still needs to approve the final plan for development of the land, at 1360 S. Main St., just north of the entrance to Heatherwoode, which features the city-owned golf course.
The proposed development’s property owners, the Daniel Family Trust, want to build a 7-lot subdivision on land where only one home now stands. It would be served by a private road.
Thursday’s approval stipulates that the new homes join the Heatherwood Homeowners Association (HOA) or follow rules mirroring those required of homeowners at Heatherwoode.
“It’s just the issue of the HOA,” Councilman Dale Brunner said. “That has to be addressed, in my opinion.”
Staff and the planning commission recommended approval without the stipulation added after a council discussion Thursday following contentious meetings with Heatherwoode residents.
Mayor John Agenbroad recused himself from Thursday’s discussion of the issue because he lives across Main Street, Ohio 741 in Springboro, from the development area.
The other six council members reviewed the plan before the formal meeting, then approved it, as well as the rezoning.
Much of the discussion focused on the HOA that would be formed to represent the residents of the development and be responsible for its maintenance and liability.
Heatherwoode residents expressed concern about the new homeowners being represented by a separate homeowners association with lower standards.
City Manager Chris Pozzuto emphasized the developer would also need to meet other guidelines before winning permission to begin construction.
Councilman Stephen Harding said the developer might decide against the development, once confronted with the additional requirements, including design standards thought to be more demanding than those for Heatherwoode.
In the future, Pozzuto said the city would “do a better job of educating” residents about the multiphase process required of developers.
Shawn Hunter, president of the Heatherwoode HOA, thanked the council and staff “for being receptive” to resident concerns and said he looked forward to “continuing that dialogue” as the development moved forward.
On Friday, developer Rebecca Geiger said they were planning to move forward, but declined to elaborate.