Traffic concerns addressed on Chestnut Ridge

The topic of traffic issues by more development on Chestnut Ridge Road and surrounding areas of Chestnut Commons in Elyria were discussed April 30 during City Council’s Community Development Committee meeting.

Questions were asked about traffic worsening in the Chestnut Commons area after the matter to request a conditional use permit for a future Four Seasons at Chestnut Ridge.

The Four Seasons at Chestnut Ridge is owned by K. Hovnanian Waterbury, LLC, and will be made as a residential housing facility for those 55 and up, according to Mayor Holly Brinda.

There will be 214 sophisticated homes built for residents on the corner of Chestnut Ridge Road and Bender Road in Elyria, including a swimming pool and more, Brinda said.

The residential homes were approved by the city’s planning commission and the Community Development Committee faced the first step into production of the request of a Conditional Use Permit.

According to Erik A. Breunig, an attorney for the city’s law department, production for the homes are looking to begin this summer.

However, council members asked about the new traffic that will add to the current issue in the how it can be fixed.

Ward 7 Councilmen Jack Cerra was the first to immediately ask how traffic will be influenced.

John Schneider, assistant city engineer said the long-term goal is to keep the original design that was given.

Schneider said their plan can help the congested traffic issue.

He said that developed area will provide the city an additional 10 feet on each side of the property which can help in the future.

A round-about will also be added in the development of the area.

“Do we think it will increase traffic? Yes,” he said. “But, I think this plan can help.”

Ward 6 Councilwoman Donna Mitchell said she doesn’t have a problem with the development of the plan, but is concerned on how an area of that size is continuing to develop more housing and business.

Mitchell added that many are affected by the traffic issue, especially during its peak hours of 3 and 4 p.m.

“People complain about that area non-stop,” she said.

Breunig responded by sharing information on the annexation of 36 acres in the area.

He said with that annexation, “the more we can control that (issue), the better it will be long-term.”

Brinda made a comment that once the city finally receives the land it has accepted, it will be in a better positions to reconfigure the traffic or plan’s proposal.

She said once they reconfigure those plans, there will have to be another traffic study.

“We are committed to solving this problem,” Brinda said. “We recognize it and it must be dealt with.”

She said the residential development is one of the reasons the city began discussing it over 2 ½ years ago.

Brinda said now that they will own majority of the property, they will have more control of the road and its signals.

“We know they are going to be challenges,” she said. “But, we are committed to fixing it.”

Brinda added that the developer is taking a step to petition ODOT to see other options they can do for another entrance off of state Route 57 into the Chestnut Commons.

She said it can reduce any traffic issues.

Representatives from the property owners were there, but they answered no questions.

Breunig said there are still a few more steps the property owners have to go through before they can get their final plan reviewed by council and the planning commission.

One of them being approved by the committee.

Committee approved the request and the motion will then move onto planning commission May 1.

Council will follow with three readings beginning May 7.