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Canyon Lakes defies Geauga building trend
(by Joan Demirjian - September 02, 2010)
Canyon Lakes defies Geauga building trend
By JOAN DEMIRJIAN
Home-building activity in Geauga County this year is up from 2009 but still slow, according to Geauga County Planning Director David Dietrich.
However, one subdivision in Bainbridge continues its home building, he said. Canyon Lakes is by far the largest development in Geauga County, he said. "Canyon Lakes is one of the more active areas in the county, without question," Mr. Dietrich said.
Elsewhere in the county, there is some activity in places such as Auburn in an existing subdivision already platted and ready to go, he said.
"It's fairly quiet in Russell and Chester," Mr. Dietrich said. "It's choppy out there. Mortgage rates are low, but confidence needs to be restored."
The county planning commission reviews new subdivisions and phases as they are platted.
Mr. Dietrich recalled when Canyon Lakes was proposed in the late 1970s. Following lengthy zoning and court proceedings, it was approved with its smaller lots served by city water in a county waterline and sewers connected to the McFarland Creek treatment plant on Chagrin River Road.
Bainbridge Zoning Inspector Shane Wrench said phase 13-A of Canyon Lakes is under way.
As far as other new homes in the township, Mr. Wrench said, Edgewater Reserve off of Snyder Road also has home-building activity.
In Canyon Lakes, about 300 homes have been built, in addition to 11 cluster homes and 25 condominiums. The community stretches between Chagrin Road and Chagrin River Road. When it's completed, it will have about 665 houses and condos.
Phase 13-A, a short cul-de-sac called Silica Ridge, accessed via North View Drive from Chagrin Road, is ready to be developed.
A plan for the road was reviewed by the Geauga County planning commission and includes 12 lots.
Sewers and city water will be available to the future homes on the road. Plans also call for three more roads off of North View Drive, and one road will continue to an original roadway in the development and then to Chagrin Road, Mr. Wrench said. They will include 31 more lots.
Lots are between 0.81 acre and 1.81 acres on Silica Ridge and are connected to sewers and city water, Mr. Wrench said.
It includes Canyon Woods, which is being developed off Bainbridge Road on the south side of the Route 422 freeway by Dino Palmieri.
Canyon Woods has several roads and is one-quarter built, Mr. Wrench said.
Pulte Homes has bought 19 lots in Canyon Woods and is breaking ground for the first one, he said.
Canyon Lakes developer Hugh Edwards said Silica Ridge is paved and has electricity.
Silica Ridge is in an area that was once quarried for its silica sand, Mr. Edwards said.
"Silica Ridge has larger lots, up to 1.81 acres," he said. "I think everybody likes larger lots. Several people bought two lots for their houses in Canyon Lakes." There are six double lots in the subdivision now.
Mr. Edwards called it a unique subdivision because of its ravines, streams and heavy timber. Preserving those natural surroundings is important to residents, he said.
Canyon Woods on Bainbridge Road was part of the original Canyon Lakes land and was sold to Mr. Palmieri, he said, and that area will fall under the same zoning as Canyon Lakes. It will have eight condominiums.
There are about 69 lots on about 80 acres, with half-acre lots, he said.
About 70 acres of Bainbridge parkland, River Road Park, was the result of a trade with Mr. Edwards. He said he was allowed to develop up to Chagrin River Road and in turn the township turned its land into the park.
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