Jerome Village is one step closer to adding its first neighborhood in the Fairbanks district.
Jerome Township Trustees voted unanimously Tuesday to rezone 16.286 acres of land on the southeast side of U.S. 42, between Wells Road and Harriott Road, from Rural Residential (RU) and Planned Development District (PD) to Planned Development District.
Bart Barok, with Nationwide Realty Investors, said Jerome Village recently purchased 5.86 acres of land from the adjacent property owner, Select Sires.
Jerome Township Zoning Inspector Eric Snowden said there was previously a zoning boundary between areas zoned RU and PD that ran through the proposed development site.
The rezoning is “really just bringing in a piece,” he explained.
Barok said the portion of land purchased from Select Sires will allow the developers to extend Ravenhill Parkway through the proposed development, in alignment with the county thoroughfare plan.
The total 16.286 acres are intended to become a planned development of 42 residential units on 50-foot by 120-foot lots, Barok said.
Barok described the single-family condos as “white cottages” designed for empty nesters.
He said the neighborhood will be a gated community that fits within the original Jerome Village footprint.
The homes will range between 2,200 square feet and 2,800 square feet, Barok said.
He said they will sell for $400,000 to $500,000.
Since they cater to an older demographic, Barok said they are not expected to add students to Fairbanks Local Schools.
Instead, he said the development will generate tax revenue for the district.
“This will get a tax basis before any kids get into (the district),” Barok said.
He presented the trustees with a letter of support from Fairbanks Superintendent Adham Schirg.
Barok noted that older individuals still look for the same amenities and high quality finishes they may have had in larger homes, which influences the anticipated price range.
The neighborhood will abide by the Jerome Village design and development guidelines, which Barok said are “much more stringent” than Jerome Township’s.
He also emphasized connectivity throughout the development.
Barok said there will be a biking and walking path completed before the first resident moves into the neighborhood. It will allow pedestrians to travel from this “pod” of Jerome Village to Bridge Park in Dublin without using public roads.
Regarding traffic, Barok said these homes were included in Jerome Village’s initial 2007 traffic impact study. He said the project is zoned for 2,800 homes and only 1,200 exist at the moment.
For that reason, Snowden said the traffic study “wasn’t a concern” during review by the zoning commission.
The zoning commission and the Logan-Union-Champaign Regional Planning Commission recommended approval of the rezoning application, with modifications. Snowden said the modifications ensure all regulation text requirements are met.
The trustees were in favor of the development and no residents spoke during the opportunity for public participation.
“I’m excited to get the extension of the non-loaded road to get that connectivity,” Trustee Joe Craft said, referencing Ravenhill Parkway.
In other business:
– Director of Departments Douglas Stewart said the township building will be available for rentals beginning in April.
He noted that township staff has not accepted rental reservations since January, but Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Health recently revised public health orders to permit rentals.
Stewart said precautions will still be in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Individuals must take their temperature before entering the building and will be required to sign a waiver.
– Stewart also noted that postings for positions within the Zoning Department will close Friday.
He said there has been a “great response” so far, as nearly 20 applications have been received for the Assistant Zoning Inspector and almost 90 have been received for the Zoning/Administrative Clerk.
Interviews will likely be scheduled for the week of March 29, he said.