Mentor horse pasture development plan alters again

Project proposal expands to include more land, homes

Plans continue to evolve for a former horse pasture along Route 84 in Mentor.

On Jan. 23, the city Planning Commission will review a revised proposal for rezoning property west of Deepwood Boulevard from R-4 Single-family Residential to RVG Village Green. A preliminary site plan is part of the request.

The Brookview Preserve project, tabled at the December meeting, had involved rezoning 50 acres to allow 114 homes to be built in three phases on 32 acres and 18 acres of green space.

Access was proposed via Route 84 and Steeplechase Drive.

The plan has been altered to add 23 more acres of pasture for an overall development of nearly 73 acres and 174 sublots for homes to be built in four phases.

Phase 1 would provide two entrances off of Route 84. The western entrance would be located across from Life Point Church and link to 25 sublots. The second entrance would be opposite Plaza Boulevard and access 30 sublots.

Phase 2 would comprise 31 sublots on an interconnect road between the two entry points and another 16 sublots connected to Deepwood

Boulevard via an existing 100-foot-wide easement.

Phase 3 would comprise 39 sublots and Phase 4 would contain 33.

The proposed open space would total more than 25 acres, or nearly 35 percent of the development, and include a pavilion, community garden and walking trail. Four seating/overlook areas are included along Ward Brook.

Applicants Pulte Homes of Ohio and Jerome T. Osborne Family Limited Partnership presented an informal request in November. A previous plan, submitted informally in April, involved 115 homes.

Neighbors expressed concern at the December public hearing about additional noise, traffic and drainage issues.

The city administration recommends several conditions, should the project be approved. They include:

• The developer shall work with the city to provide an overflow pipe from the existing stream to the storm sewer on Route 84 to help reduce the flooding and erosion issues downstream at Stoneybrook Lane to the east. The Ward Brook stream shall be dredged within the development.

• Brookview Lane shall be extended to connect both drives within Phase 1 to provide a minimum of two points of access to a dedicated public right-ofway during each phase of the development.

• Approval of the use of the 100-foot private easement within the Deepwood Condominiums will be provided only with proposed improvements to dedicate it as a public right-of-way. If Deepwood is unwilling to allow the dedication of this easement and its use as such, the proposed connection shall be limited to a mutual easement for emergency access only.

Pulte Homes Corp Planning Director Jim O’Connor noted highlights of the project.

“We think this is a very pragmatic and practical approach to the use of the RVG zoning in this site for multiple reasons, in terms of the transition between the existing neighborhoods right now and its location, the ability to attract a diverse buyer profile and, most importantly, it solves some larger drainage problems and (adds) some benefits to the overall area,” he said. “… In addition to that, the new housing and residents will have a catalytic impact on the existing retail.”

The commission meets at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers at Mentor Municipal Center, 8500 Civic Center Blvd.