Springboro reviewing plans to build road needed for housing
City officials told Springboro-area residents they are reviewing plans to pay for construction of a road in surrounding Clearcreek Twp. a condition for construction of a 69-home subdivision on farm fields, just south of city limits.
Springboro Mayor John Agenbroad said the city was reviewing the costs and other questions about the proposed road intended to alleviate heavy traffic flowing into Springboro High School, sometimes through the Heatherwoode subdivision, during early-morning and afternoon hours.
“We may not get any kind of a road. It may be too cost prohibitive,” Agenbroad said in conclusion of comments by council members and residents during the June 18 Springboro City Council meeting.
The city had tentatively agreed to pay for construction of the road, one of the conditions required by the Warren County Regional Planning Commission for construction of the MI Homes project.
The yet unnamed road, conceived during discussions on the proposed development, would connect Red Lion-Five Points Road and Ohio 741, eliminating reroute traffic away from a sharp curve on Red LionFive Points and traffic that cuts through a Springboro neighborhood.
After learning of the Springboro council comments, Assistant Warren County Engineer Kurt Weber said,”That would change things for us from a traffic standpoint.”
Weber, also a member of the executive committee approving the Woodgrove plan, said MI would likely then need to complete a traffic study identifying road improvements needed before Woodgrove could be built.
Weber and County Planner Doug Obringer indicated such a change could also require MI, which could not be reached Wednesday, to submit new plans and go through another review process. Weber indicated his office was waiting for Springboro to develop plans for the road after getting the land needed for the road dedicated from MI.
MI also could seek a variance from the county on regulations for traffic-access points, Obringer said.
At last Thursday’s city council meeting, Springboro resident Ed Standifer said the road would intersect with Ohio 741, South Main Street in Springboro, 30 feet from his driveway and come close to other neighbors’ property.
This, along with plans for the road to run straight from Red Lion-Five Points, would “put a band-aid on a gash,” Standifer said.
“It’s going to create kind of a drag strip,” he added, in addition to traffic hazards for other drivers approaching on a steep hill.
Several township residents on Red Lion-Five Points joined Standifer in opposition and making comments to council about safety and other issues with the plan.
“This road is going to destroy a lot of peace out on Red Lion-Five Points,” Dr. Susan Grau said.
The residents suggested relocating the road to solve the problem.
“We do have an issue with traffic we have to address in some fashion,” Agenbroad said.
However, the mayor said the city was unsure about the costs, depending on requirements of the Ohio Department of Transportation and study of the traffic.
Assistant City Manager Greg Shackelford added the project needed multiple approvals.
Deputy Jim Chmiel said the city would “do our diligence” before taking action.
Contact this reporter at 937-225-2261 or email Larry.Budd@coxinc.com.