A development planned for Columbus Avenue will probably prove attractive for some, as long as they like music.
Marysville City Council had its first reading of a mixed-use development going in on Columbus Avenue, which would be positioned across the street from Benny’s Pizza. Mayor J.R. Rausch said, when apartments start accepting applicants, it should be explicit that a noisy business is close by.
“You’re aware that across the street is a business that has music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night,” Rausch said. “You’re going to put 400 units right across the street. I just want to know whose phone number and email I can have to send all of those people to complaint about the noise.”
Rausch said, while he might see it as an amenity, others might be bothered by the noise.
“Every Friday and Saturday night, our phone is going to go off the hook,” he said.
The Robert Weiler Company initially came to the city in December last year with a plan for a development that mixed commercial, retail and residential buildings. The city’s planning commission asked the applicant to redesign the plan, and pointed to developments like Easton Town Center for inspiration.
The updated plan has more room for multi-family housing and retail storefronts to make it “feel like a neighborhood.”
“(The applicant) has been really great about making modifications and suggestions,” he said. “It’s a really different approach from a lot of the other developments in the city.”
Councilperson Tracy Richardson commended the applicant for highlighting road connectivity to Columbus Avenue. She noted with the connection to Professional Parkway, there could be traffic problems, and it’s good the city and applicant focused on that.
Richardson mentioned the importance of the city making sure there aren’t too many multi-family developments going up at the same time. She said there should be “too much competition,” but the Columbus Avenue sets itself apart enough to come into Marysville.
“I think it has some unique attractions,” she said. “I’m impressed with that.”
Councilperson Henk Berbee asked if the development would be connected to Uptown Marysville. City Planner Chad Flowers said there are opportunities in the northern part of the property to connect it to Eljer Park. A bike path will run along Columbus Avenue
“There’s great opportunity to create a connection onto Sixth Street and right into Uptown,” he said.
The development will also have small parks throughout. Flowers said the city wanted to create something that serves as a destination spot with high walkability.