ThisWeek CW 05/23/2013
The Canal Winchester Planning and Zoning Commission approved two new potential multi-family developments for the city during its May 13 meeting.
Owner John Lateulere of Redwood Acquisitions presented a final development plan for a 192-unit apartment complex on nearly 30 acres off Diley Road just southeast of Busey Road, west of the Canal Pointe Industrial Park. A portion of the northwest corner of the property is currently zoned commercial and is anticipated to be built out after the residential construction is nearing completion, according to Lateulere.
“This hasn’t been the first stab at this plan, so we’ve gone over it with staff closely and think we’re bringing forth a positive plan for the area that we call Lockport Village by Redwood,” Lateulere said. “Redwood is a 22-year-old company and we have over 3,000 units in Ohio that are currently 99-percent leased. These apartments will all be two-bedroom, two-bath with a two-car attached garage, based on a single-story ranch style, meant to be good for retirees.”
According to Lateulere, the apartments will be completed in two phases with the second phase of construction beginning after 50-percent of the phase one buildings have been leased.
“We can build about eight units a month, so phase one should be completed about 10 months after construction starts,” he said. “If the leasing is strong, then we can get bank financing for phase two and start that around month eight or nine, so that would be about 16 months total to complete both phases.”
The development is within the CEDA overlay boundaries shared with Violet Township. Canal Winchester Development Director Lucas Haire said the plan has already been approved by the CEDA review board.
Planning commission member Mike Vasko was concerned about having garages face the street. Other members clarified that these garages would be required to have windows, but ultimately, Vasko voted against the development.
“You’re proposing a 28-foot wide apartment and 20 feet for garage. That’s what you’re looking at — a garage — so how do you develop neighborhood character?” Vasko asked.
The second apartment development presented to the planning and zoning commission will require further approvals, but the necessary first step was approved unanimously.
Applicant Todd Shockling hopes to purchase property at the southeast corner of West Waterloo Street and Chesterville Drive as the site of a three-family apartment building. This requires that the property be zoned multi-family.
Currently, the land is zoned commercial, which created some confusion as a deed restriction currently attached to the property states that it may only be used for a single-family residence.
“The first covenant in the Canal Winchester Reserve says that this can be a single-family only,” Commissioner Jeff Graber said. “But I know there are duplexes next door, so how they got around that I don’t know, but it’s something he (Shockling) needs to look into.”
Shockling provided a tentative drawing of the structure, which would include three attached garages, also facing forward, making up the majority of the building’s frontage.
“I understand we aren’t reviewing the structure, but I’d say if you put up a building here, don’t put the garages on the front,” Vasko said.
Commissioner Jim Knowlton agreed, suggesting to Shockling that he consider a different design before returning for any final approvals.
“I’d prefer to see the front porch facing Waterloo, not garages,” Knowlton said.
The next step is for Shockling to obtain approval of the zoning change from city council, which also will review the deed restriction issue per the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission.