Jerome Township officials are still undecided as to whether the rezoning of a proposed development will move forward.
Developers were met with opposition from residents during a public hearing Wednesday regarding the Pioneer Crossing development.
Zoning Inspector Eric Snowden said the 111.52-acre development would create 188 single family units. It would be located on the southeasterly side of U.S. 42, near Industrial Parkway.
Township officials first received an application in May to rezone the area, currently zoned RU (Rural Residential District) and LR (Local Retail District), to PD (Planned Development).
Snowden said the application has been reviewed by the zoning commission several times and heard at multiple public meetings. He said the newest version was revised to alleviate previous concerns raised by the zoning commission and officials.
He said the most notable revision was the addition of a second point of access. Snowden explained that the initial plan sparked safety and traffic concerns because it had just one access point.
“It was not in the public’s interest that there was only one point of access in this 188-unit development,” Snowden said.
In response, Greg Chillog of the Edge Group said developers added a temporary, right-in right-out point of access along U.S. 42. that would be removed when further connections are made.
The newest iteration also added an area Snowden said is commonly known as the “Blankenship Property,” along Brock Road.
Chillog said the developers plan to expand Brock Road and connect it to New California with a minor collector road. He said this is beneficial to the county thoroughfare plan.
Beyond this, Chillog said the development offers other benefits to the community, with minimal adverse impacts.
He said the development was designed to preserve the natural features of the land and will include greater than 40% open space, the minimum required by the township zoning resolution.
Additionally, Chillog said the development would expand recreational opportunities. He said trails would be added that connect open space to the township’s adjacent park.
After meeting with representatives from local school districts, Chillog said the development wouldn’t negatively impact schools. He said, according to Jonathan Alder, the development would generate 0.48 students per household.
Matt Callahan of Pulte Homes said a traffic impact study has been submitted to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Union County. He said they’ve received preliminary feedback from ODOT, but the study is still under review.
Many of the residents in attendance, however, argued that the development would not benefit the community.
Resident Barry Adler said he was concerned about building homes within 700 feet of a “high-voltage power line,” what developers believe are distribution lines on the property. He said he was also worried about additional homes draining community support services, like those of the fire department, and creating “unreasonable traffic.”
He encouraged trustees to seek further review before voting on the application.
“Approving the application as submitted may likely result in filing of another referendum petition,” Adler said.
Several other residents agreed with Adler, urging officials to slow development in the area.
Doug Farnholtz, who owns land adjacent to the proposed development, referenced support for a zoning referendum on the November ballot which overturned zoning for an 80-acre development known as Rolling Meadows.
“I mean, when they turned down Rolling Meadows, they didn’t just say no they said hell no,” he said.
Others disagreed, though, claiming growth is inevitable and should be supported.
“If people want to referendum every development that comes down the road, they are going to poison all further development in this township,” resident Jeff Rymer said.
Trustee Ron Rhodes echoed his sentiment, saying the developers for Pioneer Crossing have worked closely with the township and are a favorable applicant compared to what might come if they are denied.
“We are in significant compliance with the wishes of the township and the comprehensive plan,” Chillog said. “If not this, then what?”
Even so, Trustees Joe Craft and C.J. Lovejoy said they needed to review the application further before voting.
Craft asked the developers to provide a letter from ODOT regarding future plans for U.S. 42 expansion, feedback from the traffic impact study, a letter from the Jonathan Alder Local Schools and a letter from Fire Chief Doug Stewart ensuring there are no safety concerns.
Ultimately, trustees voted to continue the hearing to Jan. 7, 2020 at 7 p.m.