Marysville City Council Monday approved the rezoning of 28.28-acres on the city’s south side, paving the way for what developers are calling affordable housing.
Council rezoned the land between Chestnut and Walnut streets, south of Eljer Park, for planned unit development at the request of Chestnut Crossing. The proposed development would include 121 single family homes, 7.8 acres of green space, a path connection to Eljer Park and its paths, two mail kiosks, sidewalks and several ponds. The houses would be two stories and range from 1,660 square feet to 2,100 square feet.
The homes had been projected at $200,000, but city officials said Monday the price had risen to between $210,000 and $215,000.
Council member Alan Seymour, who had expressed concern about the number of homes, and curb cuts, that would be on Professional Parkway, said the project benefits — affordable housing, flood mitigation and the completion of Professional Parkway — “outweigh the negatives.”
The developer will be responsible for connecting Professional parkway from Walnut Street to Chestnut Street.
While Seymour had changed his mind, not everyone was on board with the new development.
Philip LaPointe, who said he was with the Airport Authority Board, asked council members to vote against the plan.
“We feel it is not in the public’s best interest,” LaPointe said.
Gary Smith, of G2 Planning Urban Design, had previously said airport officials were “on board.”
LaPointe said they are not. He cited increased traffic, the safety of children in the area and the protection of wetlands. He also said the pond at the development will draw birds which are problematic for airplanes.
The plan developers already eliminated three lots to keep homes further away from the airport. The developer said the lots would have pushed the homes further south. Developers said the land on the southern end of the property, where those homes would have encroached, will likely be turned over to the airport authority.
LaPointe said residents do not appreciate living near an airport.
“There will be a lot more noise complaints,” LaPointe said. “Eventually, with all the noise complaints, they will ask us to restrict operations.”
He said the housing development is incompatible with airport expansion plans. LaPointe said because of the railroad track to the east, the airport is being asked to shift some operations west. He said the development would limit their ability to do that.
Airport Authority Chairman John Popio said his group has “an obligation to protect the airport.”
Council member Mark Reams asked if the airport authority had the finances to buy the property or to install the Professional Parkway extension. Popio said it did not.
Mayor J.R. Rausch said he “appreciates the airport” noting it is “extremely important to us and to the county” but said the city needs to be able to work with other landowners.
City Engineer Jeremy Hoyt called the development, “an excellent project, from an engineering standpoint.”
He said the development adds a different kind of housing for the city adding that, “from a big-picture stand point, it seems very good.”
The project received unanimous approval from the planning commission.
City Planner Ashley Gaver also expressed support.
“You are getting a good product for a starter home,” Gaver said.
She said the land has already been approved for some development and the proposed housing, “meets what the comprehensive plan calls for as far as development” for the area.
She has said the project uses a higher density and smaller lots than are usually proposed in an effort to keep the homes affordable.
The developer, Ryan Homes, has said it will offer three styles, with two options each, at Chestnut Crossing, explaining that “standardization” helps keep costs low also.