ThisWeek CW 11/5/2015
http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2015/11/02/groveport-senior-village-plans-call-for-50-more-units-of-subsidized-housing.html
Groveport City Council approved plans last week for an additional 50 units of subsidized housing at Groveport Senior Village.
Council members voted unanimously Oct. 26 in favor of constructing 11 more buildings: 10 for housing and one to be used as a community center as part of the second and final phase of the project. Ground was broken in late 2013 for the first phase of the development at 5120 Hendron Road.
The new buildings will be a “mirror image” of those in the first phase, with a slightly larger community building.
The development includes cottage-style units of nearly 1,000 square feet, with attached garages, along with a shelter house, community building and a dog park. Apartments are subsidized and only available to renters age 55 and older, based on income.
“This phase is basically a mirror image of Phase 1, with 10 buildings totaling 50 units and a new community building, which will be a bit bigger than the Phase 1 building to allow both communities to come together for meetings and events in one unit,” Chief Building Official Stephan Moore said. “There’s a road connecting the two phases which will also have sidewalks to make it look like one complete complex.”
Moore said the developer, LW Associates, is working with neighboring property owners to finalize a utility easement, but the easement is not necessary to move forward with the project.
“There’s a plan for a future water line but they’ll have the pond on site for fire suppression, which is what they were approved by the fire marshal to use for Phase 1 as well,” Moore said.
“The easement, though, would allow the city water line to be looped, which would help the city regulate water pressure, which will then also benefit those neighbors and other residents in the area.”
Todd Valentine, director of development for LW Associates, said he feels positive the company will be able to work out a deal for the easement.
Like Phase 1, proceeding with this part of the project is also dependent on receiving financing through the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, which offers a competitive funding process backed by federal housing credits.
If funding is approved by the OHFA, construction could begin as early as next summer.