Marysville City Council recently heard plans for The Residences at Bethel Woods, a gated community of freestanding and townhome style condominiums. The project will be south of the Kroger building and bordered by MacIvor Woods Park to the south and west.
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Residents will have an opportunity to have their say on plans for a proposed gated community on West Fifth Street.
Residences at Bethel Woods is a 51-home development planned for 14 acres behind the Kroger Marketplace and adjacent to the MacIvor Woods. The development will be a mix of 31 freestanding condominiums and 20 townhome style homes in five buildings. It will be the first gated community in the city limits. In June, the Marysville Planning Commission unanimously approved the sketch plan.
Bobb Alloway, who is developing the project, said the condos and townhomes would be “more luxurious, upscale housing.”
When asked, Alloway said there would be a variety of options, but the homes would range in size from about 1,550 square feet to 3,200 square feet and range in price from $290,000 to the $400,000s.
Steve Peck, the franchise coordinator with Epcon Communities, said the builder has a development in Jerome Village. He said the units are marketed to “active adults.”
He said the homes are being built with no steps and other advances, “so that all of our customers can age in that home.”
Alloway said the property meets the needs of the future residents. He said the property is close to shopping and trails in MacIvor Woods.
“We searched out an area that we thought would be a good fit for a walking community,” Alloway said.
Alloway admitted he was, “putting the cart before the horse,” but said he already has two potential home buyers.
Council member Nevin Taylor questioned the name and said he would like it to be called the Residences at MacIvor Woods.
Local Attorney Tony Eufinger, representing the developer, said there are some private reasons for not using the mane, but added that developers, “aren’t trying to trade off his name and his reputation.”
He said the conservation easement is “the tribute to Dr. MacIvor.”
Eufinger added that developers will “make sure his legacy is known to the residents.”
Alloway added that the name of the commercial development that includes Kroger is named Bethel Woods.
Council members asked about access to the site for emergency vehicles. Because of a gas line that runs across the property, there is only one vehicle access into and out of the development. Alloway said the first road has been expanded to a boulevard to make access easier for fire vehicles. Fire Chief Jay Riley said he is pleased with the boulevard, calling it “the best solution.”
Alloway said that while the community will be gated, first responders will have a code to access the property if they need it.
He said that as developers are working to protect the residents, they also want to protect the neighboring conservation area. He said the developers will clear only the trees they need to and a buffer will be created.
“We will make sure we put in any barriers we need to put in to protect the MacIvor property,” Alloway said.
Council members also wanted to know how the developers would protect the community.
Alloway stressed he is not trying to attract outsiders to the community but is “marketing to existing Marysville residents.”
Council member Mark Reams focused on the term “owner occupied.”
He asked Alloway how he could be sure the residents of the home would be the owners and not renters.
Alloway said the owner could choose to rent the property for a term.
The developer said there would be a fee, likely between $150 and $180 each month, for the community to handle things like mowing lawns, removing snow, maintaining green space and even shoveling driveways. He said a resident could decide to go to Florida for the winter and know their home would be cared for.
“What we sell is lifestyle,” Peck said.
Eufinger said there is a housing shortage in the area and developing this type of product helps.
“The reality is, we could build two of these in Marysville and not keep up with the demand,” Eufinger said.
He said the residents of the community will not have children burdening the schools and because of their schedules, they will not be using the streets and roads during the city’s busiest time.
“The traffic impact is much less in this type of housing than in the traditional,” Alloway said.
Eufinger said housing is “better than the current zoning” which would allow for nearly any commercial development.
The public will have an opportunity to comment on the rezoning before the legislation’s second reading at the Sept. 9 City Council meeting.