By 1808Delaware
At its Wednesday night meeting, the City of Delaware Planning Commission approved a Preliminary Subdivision Plat application which would, if the proposal receives all required approvals, result in 252 new single family building lots being added to the City in the general area of Troy Road and Smith Park.
The application was reviewed first by Zoning Administrator Lance Schultz, who began with a short overview of the genesis of the project and its setting.
The two proposed developments sit on a portion of over 200 acres purchased in 2015, and on either side of the rail line that runs adjacent to Smith Park. The two were submitted as one subdivision for platting consideration.
To the east of the rail line, some 69 single family houses would sit on approximately 23 acres in what is called “Rutherford Acres,” all of which would be accessed by extensions of current streets in the Hayes Colony Subdivision. To the west of Troy Road, “Troy Acres” would see 183 single family building lots on approximately 77 acres.
The land in the middle, that between Troy Road and the rail line, would be dedicated to the City of Delaware for a southern extension of Smith Park (see map). That new park area includes 21 acres.
Schultz indicated that the entire area is zoned R3 Residential, and this “by right” subdivision would require that the developers meet applicable subdivision regulations as well as the zoning requirements in R3.
The number of proposed units is consistent with the comprehensive plan, he noted, and with neighboring developments. Traffic impact and stormwater preliminary studies have been submitted and are under review by City staff. Access to each “Acres” neighborhood would be independent.
Director of Planning and Community Development David Efland emphasized that this seems to City staff to be a good first step, realizing that there are many approvals still needed for the project developers.
Mayor Carolyn Riggle sought clarification on the access to Rutherford Acres, noting that Hayes Colony streets were already busy. Adding traffic to for the use of this many new houses would be a concern, she added, as it “will put a lot on these streets.”
Still, with this as a first step with opportunity for continued revision, the Commission voted unanimously to give its approval. The matter now heads to full Council at its next regular meeting, which takes place on Monday, October 12.
