Neighbors question plan for rezoning property
Homeowners nearby in Lebanonworry about possible uses for the site.
Someresidentswere concerned about plans to rezone more than 12 acres fornewhousing and retail use within walking distance of downtown Lebanon.
OnTuesday, LebanonCityCouncil has scheduled a public hearing on the proposed rezoning of the 12.3 acres at the southwest corner of South West Street and Cincinnati Avenue (U.S. 42) heading southwest out of Lebanon.
The rezoning, spearheaded by city staff, would designate the long-vacant light industrial site, for a mixed-use planned development.
The site sits in front of the 16-home CreeksideLanding subdivision under construction on 3.9 of 20 acres and just east of a culde-sac in the Silverwood Farms subdivision.
“It’s a pretty landlocked area,” saidJoshAllen, marketingmanager forDoyleHughesDevelopmentand WatermarksHomes, the division underwhich the homes are being built. Homes in the $400,000$600,000 range should be for sale in the spring.
Planning commissioners compared the South West Street plan to the 511 No. Broadway
redevelopment, comprisedof townhomesand retail under construction just north of downtown.
The property owners of 363 S. West St. could not be reached, and the real estate agent listing it declined to comment on plans or the rezoning.
The rezoning would “accommodate a development that is more sustainable
for the site and the surrounding neighborhood,” according to the staff report.
Two plans are part of the proposedrezoning, oneusing the existing building, the other razing it. Town homes, single-family homes and limited commercial useswould be permitted.
Just east isOrchardAvenue and one of the older neighborhoods in Lebanon.
During Oct. 20andNov. 17 planning commission meetings, no one spoke in favor of the proposed rezoning.
According to meeting minutes, RonaldMizuk, wholives nearby, said he would be in favor of the mixed use, but is opposed to fast food or bartype businesses. Mizuk also urged the city to plan an exit off of U.S. 42 “to keep traffic out of the neighborhood.”
Jeff Blazey, who also lives nearby, “expressed his concernforthetrafficonOrchard describing it as an ‘unenforced raceway’ and that this would only make it worse.”
In response to calls for green space, Planner Greg
Orosz explained 20% of the land would be set aside for this.
Orosz explained the rezoning would prevent industrial use of the land, likely to increase truck traffic.
Jack Burns, also a nearby resident, said“onceCreekside Landing is ready that they will build quickly and that the proposed piece of property will be more desirable.”