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Neighbors want input on senior-housing plan
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - June 16, 2010)
Neighbors want input on senior-housing plan
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Chardon residents received their first opportunity last week to comment on a proposed 200-home development for ages 55 and older. Those living close by said they want a say in how plans unfold.
"We hope to have a loud voice in this," Howard Herrick, Woods of Burlington Homeowners Association treasurer, said.
City Council, which hosted the public hearing, said it was to be continued June 15.
Developers approached the city in October 2009 with a conceptual plan for the project, which is to be located on 50 acres off South Street (Route 44), just south of the Woods of Burlington development.
Brian Uhlenbrock, of Neff and Associates, said the development will consist of townhouses, single-family homes and independent- and assisted-living centers.
He said the property is zoned for industrial use but is being used agriculturally. He said developers will seek to rezone the property in November to multi-family residential.
Mr. Uhlenbrock said developers also plan to employ a developer's agreement that will allow the city to impose more restrictions than are permitted under traditional zoning.
Mr. Herrick said members of his homeowners association began discussing the development about three weeks ago. He said homeowners also collected about 200 signatures on a petition, saying they should be involved in any developer's agreement or meetings involving the project.
He said there is no doubt the development will be a positive one for the city. "However, our residents have raised a number of issues," Mr. Herrick said. "They have concerns. We feel we should be involved in the proposed development agreement meetings."
Those concerns include protection of an existing buffer between the two properties, ensuring the protection of property values and controlling storm runoff from the new development.
Mr. Herrick said his development had water and flooding issues during its early phases. He said those problems were corrected with a ditch along the southern border of the development and homeowners did not want any changes that would affect that control.
In addition, Mr. Herrick said, he would like to see all of the developer's promises put in writing and guarantees that the development would only allow those 55 and older to reside there. He also called for the abolishment of any rental units and that no plans be made to connect new trails with private ones in the Woods of Burlington.
"We would like to work with everyone involved however we can to be part of this development and any discussions, and hopefully we can make it work for everyone," Mr. Herrick said.
He also said voters in the Woods of Burlington make up 10 percent of the vote in city elections.
Paula Noyes, a South Street resident, said while the development will be a positive one for the city, she questioned whether the $250,000 price for a home there is considered "affordable" as quoted by developers. She questioned whether many will sit empty because of the price.
Enzo Perfetto, a partner in the project with Sam Cannata, said the average price for a home in 55 and older developments is $280,000. He said it was too early in the process to assign a price to homes that will be built, but they will be of quality construction.
City officials also heard from Robert Takacs, who said the city already has paid too dear a price for progress.
"The 'old-town' streets have traffic volumes that have never been considered," he said. "Chardon does not have a heart. It does have serious problems that the officials of the city of Chardon and the developers choose to ignore."
He said added traffic from development has led to decreased property values.
Mr. Cannata said developers have approached the city in a "cooperative, amicable" way since they first came in 2009. He said they plan to bring that same sense of cooperation as the project progresses.
He said there has been no other developer in the city that has agreed to a developer's agreement, and they are willing to listen to residents.
"We will reach out to your community as well as the other communities to discuss your concerns," Mr. Cannata said. "Now, whether we can do absolutely everything that you're requesting of us, we can't guarantee that at this point," he said. "But we will listen, and we will work with the city to try to do the best we can."
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