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Sidewalk issue sidetracks Windsor plan
(by Barbara Christian - November 19, 2008)
Sidewalk issue sidetracks Windsor plan
By BARBARA CHRISTIAN
A preliminary plat plan for the 38-lot Falls Walk subdivision on the former Windsor Hospital property was approved unanimously Monday by the Chagrin Falls planning and zoning commission.
However, one facet of the 21-acre plan remains unresolved -- the location of sidewalks on East Summit Street, which fronts the subdivision being developed by Gary Spaeth and Robert Micco. Although sidewalks were shown on the south side of the street, they may not end up there.
Neighbor Jane Betz said the homes there are so close to the road that sidewalks located the usual 60 feet from the center line of the street would bring them to within 5 feet of her living-room window, wiping out her flower garden and fence. She said she would not object to sidewalks being placed next to the curb, as is done in other parts of town.
Sidewalks are mandated for new developments by the village zoning code and must be included on streets inside the subdivisions, as well as along existing streets where there is frontage.
Interior sidewalks are shown on the development's main road, and two cul-de-sacs were approved as part of the plat plan.
Three Falls Walk homes would face East Summit Street, and two others would front on North Street. No sidewalks are planned for North Street. Homes there are to be served by the development's interior sidewalks, which lead to East Summit Street.
Sidewalks were not considered for the north side of East Summit Street because of steep terrain, project engineer Susan Henderson said.
Developers are to pay for the East Summit Street sidewalks in front of the Falls Walk subdivision and extending to Maple Lane.
Preliminary plat approval allows the developers to begin planning subdivision improvements. A bond will be requested by the village until the sidewalk location is approved.
In addition, a larger lot on the property, which contains the historic, original Windsor Hospital building known as Willow Hall, will be rehabilitated and be presented as a separate plat plan later, Mr. Micco said.
Village Administrator Benjamin Himes advised planners that the plat plan was been put on hold for their review until contaminated soil was removed from two lots. That has been completed, he said.
Earlier this year, Mr. Spaeth and Mr. Micco won a variance for seven additional lots, which they said would cover the cost of removing the contaminated dirt.
The nature of the contamination was withheld from the village under rules of the purchase agreement the developers have with property owner Psychiatric Solutions Inc. A series of investigators representing all interested parties were divided on the seriousness of the material and whether it even needed to be removed.
Mr. Micco and Mr. Spaeth said they preferred to err on the side of safety and remove it.
Other features of the plat show homes clustered in the south end of the property, with woods and green space to the north.
The cluster-home design satisfies conditions of residential overlay zoning for the property, which requires unobstructed views and retention of green space.
A retention basin also was required of developers as a way to address flooding problems on Locust Lane and North Main Street.
Mr. Micco told residents that water run-off on other surrounding streets would be reduced by the development, because water from rooftops and the roads will be captured by storm sewers.
Locust Lane resident Brian Campbell asked that the berm on the Locust Lane side of the pond be planted with vegetation or trees.
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