In a reconsideration of its earlier vote, Plain City Council voted Monday to allow for a second phase of the Madison Meadows residential development, illustrated above. Council President Michael Terry proposed an amendment to remove the seven lots adjacent to Kramer Park, outlined in bold, but it failed to garner the supermajority needed to override the recommendation from the planning and zoning commission. The preliminary development plan was approved with those lots included. (Graphic submitted)
With little fanfare, Plain City Council reversed an earlier decision in order to allow for a second phase of the Madison Meadows residential development.
During Monday’s council meeting, a 4-2 split vote flipped in favor of the rezoning of 79.734 acres along the east side of Lafayette Plain City Road from Darby Township Agricultural District to Planned Development District, as well as approval of the preliminary development plan for Madison Meadows Phase II.
Council originally rejected the ordinance with a 3-2 vote, as Council President Michael Terry was absent, on Feb. 28.
Although the project meets requirements outlined by the current zoning code, several council members who were opposed have said that they do not feel it meets their vision for the future of Plain City, which is being detailed in a zoning code rewrite.
Council members John Rucker and Jim Eudaily maintained their “no” votes on Monday, while James Sintz switched his earlier opposition to a “yes.” Terry also joined the majority.
Although Terry originally expressed dislike for what he said were small lot sizes – 60-foot and 70-foot lots – he motioned Monday to reconsider the ordinance.
Rucker, who voted against the ordinance originally, was the only member to vote against reconsidering the measure.
The ordinance bounced through several motions before the same ordinance that failed on Feb. 28 was approved Monday.
Terry began with a motion to amend the ordinance to remove seven lots adjacent to approximately 10 acres of land in the development designated to become park space, conditional on possession of the park transferring to the village upon build out.
In earlier discussions, Gary Smith, with G2 Planning and Design, said a contract with the landowner requires the area on the southwest corner of the property to become a community park called Kramer Park.
At the time, he said developers were still gauging interest from the village and a local soccer league in owning and operating Kramer Park. Otherwise, he said the neighborhood’s homeowners association would manage it.
Council members have since expressed concern that there would not be enough parking for the land to function as a community park.
They have floated the idea of eliminating the seven homes that abut the designated green space to allow for more parking spaces.
The motion to amend passed by a 5-1 vote, with Council member Jim Eudaily dissenting.
However, a motion to pass the ordinance as amended failed by a 4-2 vote.
Because the ordinance was recommended by the planning and zoning commission, an amendment must be passed by a supermajority, or at least a 5-1 vote. Rucker and Eudaily voted against the measure.
A motion to approve the original, unamended ordinance then passed with a 4-2 vote. Again, Rucker and Eudaily dissented.
The proposed development generated discussion and disagreements among council members in earlier meetings, but no discussion surrounded the votes on Monday.
The votes immediately followed an executive session with legal counsel “concerning disputes involving the public body that are the subject of pending or imminent court action.”
Developers have previously said the cost of homes within Madison Meadows Phase II will likely start in the $300,000s. The development will include single-family homes as well as patio homes marketed to seniors.
In other business:
– Mayor Jody Carney presented two proclamations recognizing community members.
First, she honored the 95th birthday of Bill Baldwin, who she called “a very avid park attendee.”
“Rain, snow, sleet – you name it and he’s out there bundled up and walking,” said Parks Director Linda Granger, who thanked him for his longtime support of the village’s park system.
In honor of Women’s History Month, Carney also recognized Sandy Atkins, Plain City’s first female mayor and the longest tenured mayor in the village’s history. Carney said Adkins broke the glass ceiling and paved the way for women like her to serve in local government.
– Council unanimously approved the appointment of Shane Hoffman and Kristin DeWitt to the newly formed Communications and Marketing Advisory Committee.
Hoffman is the technology services manager for the Plain City Public Library and DeWitt is the marketing manager for LOTH, Inc.