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Objections don't stop 13-home subdivision
(by Sue Reid - July 18, 2012)
Objections don't stop 13-home subdivision
By SUE REID
Following a public hearing last week, the Solon planning commission approved a preliminary plan for Neptune Oval Estates. The subdivision of 13-single-family homes is planned on about 21 acres at the southwest corner of Miles Road and Neptune Drive.
There are no zoning variances associated with the plan, although the commission's approval came with contingencies.
Solon City Council received the recommendations Monday and set a public hearing on the subdivision for Sept. 4.
Developer Randy Kertesz said his plans are to begin construction later this year or next spring. He said potential buyers already have expressed interest in the homes, which would be in the 3,000-square-foot range. "It will be a nice addition to the city," he said, "and a nice development."
Mr. Kertesz said he has done all that the city's engineering department required and eliminated any need for variances.
Nearby residents in attendance at the hearing continued to express opposition to the subdivision.
Charlotte Adomaitis, who has lived on Neptune Drive since 1959 and whose father was part of its development dating back to 1938, said her biggest concern is what will happen to the two ponds there, the larger of which is spring fed. "It would be a good idea to keep those up if they could," she said. "We would like to see it kept up, because it is unusual to have spring-fed ponds these days."
Commission member William M. Mazur noted that Mr. Kertesz has said he's committed to cleaning up the ponds, which are not in good shape.
Mrs. Adomaitis said she also is concerned about increased traffic in the area and additional flooding due to the subdivision.
Debbie Paskell asked for a guarantee that the subdivision would not worsen existing flooding issues that she and her husband already experience in their backyard on Hemington Boulevard. The full length of her property, which is located at the bottom of the North Park Estates development, borders the new subdivision, she said. "This is a lot of water we are talking about."
Engineer Daniel J. Neff, of Neff and Associates, said, although it's not required by the Environmental Protection Agency, the developer has made a commitment to divert water into a basin, treat it and return it to the stream. The method detains water for a 24-hour period, giving it the opportunity to "settle out," he said.
She's sure Mr. Kertesz and his engineer have "planned this all out," Mrs. Paskell said, "It looks good, but there is no way to guarantee that all the existing water will stay where it's at."
There probably are no 100 percent guarantees in life, Mr. Kertesz said, "but we will do our darnedest to minimize any effects she is having today."
Ward 5 Councilwoman Nancy E. Meany, who represents the area, said, although she is not an engineer or expert, she feels more comfortable that the issues raised by residents regarding flooding will be resolved with what the developer is planning. "Certainly that's my hope," she said.
Mr. Mazur said he believes the efforts made by the developer will improve water flow in the area, not exacerbate the problems that already exist. "We did our due diligence with this project," he said in terms of the planning commission's review. He found the residents' comments enlightening and believes they had pertinent concerns, he said.
"It's not incumbent on this commission to say a developer cannot develop his property," Mr. Mazur said, as long as there are no perceived or expected negative impacts associated with it.
Commission member Eugene Macke Bentley said he supports the project.
Contingencies attached to the commission's approval are that the city's engineering department sign off on everything, that the setbacks for the homes be 100 feet and that the homeowners association be responsible for upkeep of ponds and detention basins.
"I am very concerned about this development," Mrs. Paskell said, "and I don't think me and my neighbors will be protected. I hope you all can prevent this," she said of their concerns.
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