PLAIN TWP. − Developers seeking to build new housing near Ivy Street NW are once again seeking a zoning change.
The new proposal aims to build fewer homes (106 single-family units instead of 120) on the nearly 60-acre site.
K. Hovnanian Ohio Division of Richfield submitted a nearly identical rezoning application to the Township Zoning Department on July 1 for the same site east of Elmhurst Avenue NW and north and south of Ivy Street NW. The main difference is the reduced number of homes.
The developer is asking the township to approve switching the land from R-1 residential to R-6 Planned Unit Development. That would allow the developer to build homes closer together than allowed under the R-1 zoning, which requires single-family lots connected to sanitary sewer be at least 15,000 square feet.
Trustees unanimously rejected K. Hovnanian’s initial rezoning application before more than 100 residents gathered in the GlenOak High School auditorium on Feb. 9.
The township has scheduled a hearing of its Zoning Commission to issue a recommendation on the second request for 6 p.m. Aug. 12 at Oakwood Middle School at 2300 Schneider Street NE. The township is directing those attending to enter through Door No. 17. The matter would then go to the trustees.
The commission previously voted 3-1 to approve the rezoning. Commission members argued the Stark County Regional Commission had recommended approval because it helped meet a need for more housing, the developer was committing to not building undesired multi-family units and any final plan would have to be approved by the trustees.
Messages seeking comment were left for Kristen Monroe, K. Hovnanian’s land acquisitions manager.
Monroe has said at past township hearings that under the current R-1 zoning, the developer could build up to about 91 or 92 single-family homes on the site.
Plain Township zoning setbacks
Plain Township Zoning Director Chuck Shalenberger said besides the reduced number of single-family homes, the setback buffers have been increased between Elmhurst Avenue and the homes on the western side of the development and between Ivy Street and homes on the south side of the street. The larger 9,600-square foot lots that were north of Ivy have been switched to south of Ivy. The other lots are 7,500 square feet.
The new application raises the question of whether the changes will address the trustees’ prior objections. In February, Trustees John Sabo and Brook Harless said the development known as Ivy Reserves didn’t match the spirit of the planned unit development. They cited the lack of common amenities like a clubhouse, pool or playground. Harless mentioned the proposed homes being too close to existing ones.
Trustee Scott Haws said the Ivy Street area was not compatible with the planned unit development concept.
Under township zoning rules, the trustees must approve a final development plan for an R-6 Planned Unit Development, which must be substantially the same as the plan in the rezoning application.
Jonelle Melnichenko, chief of planning for the Stark County Regional Planning Commission, said RPC staff is reviewing the July 1 rezoning request. The commission is expected to vote on the staff’s recommendation on the request at its Aug. 4 meeting.
Residents oppose Ivy Reserve
Pete Jarocewicz, a 78-year-old retiree who lives on Elmhurst Avenue NW, said he remains opposed to the requested rezoning.
He said even 106 additional homes in 59 acres, across the street from his house, would produce an unacceptable amount of traffic.
Jarocewicz said the plan is substantially the same as the prior rezoning request.
“I was pleased with the increased buffer and shrubs and all that. But it doesn’t make up for the fact that they’re cramming too many homes into too little land,” he said. “R-6 doesn’t fit with this property. To me, we already resolved this. No is no.”
Reach Robert at robert.wang@cantonrep.com.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Housing developer back for second try at Plain Township rezoning
Reporting by Robert Wang, Canton Repository / The Repository
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By Robert Wang, Canton Repository | USA TODAY Network
