The Hamlet on Darby is a proposed 53-unit senior living community. A rendering of the development is shown above. The project would share an entrance on Fairfield Drive with the Madison Square apartments on South Chillicothe Street. The homes would sit on a 9.3 acres parcel north of Villa Drive and south of Fairfield Drive and bordering the Big Darby Creek.
(Photo submitted)
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Plain City Village Council heard very preliminary details of a pair of developments in the village Monday.
At Monday’s meeting, Councilmember Darren Lee, who sits on the planning and zoning commission, told council about the Hamlet on Darby, a senior living community, and a proposed 112-unit apartment complex to be aimed at young professionals.
At a meeting earlier in the day, Mayor Darrin Lane and Village Administrator Kevin Vaughn said the proposed projects are part of a “controlled, smart growth” approach for the village.
“It is not an accident that we have single family homes being built and now we have senior housing being planned and apartments for young professionals,” Vaughn said. “Balance is what we are trying to achieve and trying to maintain so there is an opportunity for every section of our population.”
The projects were first introduced at last week’s planning and zoning commission meeting.
The Hamlet on Darby is a proposed 53-unit community, to be leased to residents 55 years and older. Developers were clear it would not be an assisted living or extended care community.
The project would share an entrance on Fairfield Drive with the Madison Square Apartments off South Chillicothe Street. The homes would sit on a 9.3-acre parcel north of Villa Drive and south of Fairfield Drive, and would wrap around the south and east sides of the Madison Square Apartments. The project would border the Big Darby Creek.
Dwight McCabe, a Plain City resident who’s also an architect and principal at the McCabe Companies, asked to have the property rezoned from agricultural to planned residential development.
Lane said the idea of senior living is important. He said it allows long-time residents of the village to stay in the community without the burden of maintaining a large, multi-bedroom home that is larger than practical. He said by moving seniors into more appropriate smaller homes, it frees larger homes to keep families in the village.
The developer said the homes will look alike and offer a neighborhood feel.
Nearby residents have expressed concern about how close the project is to their home and to the Big Darby.
Village officials said the other project, which was not submitted with a name, would also work to keep an important population in the village.
The Champion Companies asked the planning and zoning commission to rezone 11.65 acres on Jefferson Avenue and Perry Pike, from business to multi-family residence. The project would wrap around the Shell gas station on the corner. The developer has proposed a 112-unit apartment complex, to be marketed to young professionals.
“The businesses in Plain City really need these apartments,” Lane said.
The developer said the initial hope is to rent each apartment for about $1,200 per month, but stressed market conditions will determine the pricing.
The rendering submitted by the developer also includes a convenience store and gas station to be located on Jefferson Avenue.
“It is not part of the application, but it lists a Fresh Eats Market,” Vaughn said.
While the projects were presented to planning and zoning commission, no action was taken. The committee will review the proposal and make recommendations at a future meeting. If the planning and zoning commission approves the rezoning, it will go to village council for final approval.
Lane said this is an exciting time to be involved with Plain City. He said there is so much growth in Plain City that village officials are struggling to locate land to build a new municipal facility.
“We are in a pinch to find land to buy,” Lane said. “We are really looking to find a place.”