Akron.com

Falls Council OKs site plan for new complex



CUYAHOGA FALLS — A proposed multifamily housing development is one step closer to becoming a reality on 37 acres of undeveloped land in Ward 8 of Cuyahoga Falls.
At the Oct. 22 regular meeting, City Council voted 7-4 — with Council members Russ Iona (R-Ward 8), Mike Brillhart (D-Ward 5), Jeff Iula (R-at large) and Mary Ellen Pyke (R-Ward 2) voting “no” — to approve the site plan for the Redwood Living Community to be located on six parcels of land on West Bath Road east of Keyser Parkway.
According to the approved legislation, the Planning Commission on Oct. 2 recommended approval of the site plan to construct the 87-unit apartment community.
The site plan shows the community’s apartment units will be one-story, between 1,200 and 1,400 square feet in size; feature two bedrooms and two bathrooms; and include garages.
After the regular meeting, Iona said each unit would rent for $1,600 to $1,800 a month.
Originally, the development was to consist of more than 100-units in total, but the project has been scaled down, he said.
Recently, Iona held a meeting in his ward, with 64 people in attendance, to discuss the project plans.
He said there was a great deal of “misinformation” circulating about the project.
At first, neighboring residents were not in favor of the project but now are a little happier since the number of units was cut down, Iona said.
Also, the developer, Redwood Apartment Neighborhoods, responded to concerns raised by residents and adjusted setbacks on the site plan to be more accommodating to the adjacent property owners, he said.
The “stumbling block” for Iona, however, is he has not seen “anything in writing” to completely resolve safety concerns he has on Bath Road.
“I travel that road every day and I see accidents,” he said.
Iona, who lives close to the proposed community, said solutions to traffic issues are being considered.
He said the entrance to the community may be made wider than the site plan shows and exit lanes for heading east and west could be included in the final plan for the project, for example.
Councilman Tim Gorbach (D-at large) said he “doesn’t know 100 percent” where he stands on the final development.
He said he was in favor of moving the site plan forward, however.
“This is the first stage,” he said.
The project will have to go before the Planning Commission and then Council again before construction can begin, Gorbach said.
The project addresses a need the developer must see in the city for multifamily housing, he said.
Pyke, however, said she voted against the measure because she was not in favor of the site plan right now. If changes are made to address some concerns she has, then she said she may be in favor of the project in the future, the councilwoman said.
Councilman Drew Reilly (D-Ward 1) said he has a “good feeling” about the project, though.
“I would like to see it go forward and see what else will be presented to us,” he said.
Reilly praised Redwood Apartment Neighborhoods for finding solutions to the issues that have been presented.
Also at the meeting, Council approved an agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police, Ohio Labor Council Inc. regarding wages, hours, terms and other conditions of employment.
Council also authorized the demolition of a blighted home at 1413 Ritchie St.
In other city business, Gorbach announced Finance Committee meetings to review the proposed budget for 2019 will be held during the committee meetings or regular meetings of Nov. 5, 13, 19 and 26 and Dec. 3 on or around 6:30 p.m. at The Natatorium, 2345 Fourth St.
In addition, Council President Mary Nichols-Rhodes (D-Ward 4) said an update on the development of Falls’ downtown will be provided at the next Council meeting, which is scheduled for Nov. 13, a day later than usual in observance of Veterans Day, at 6:30 p.m. at The Natatorium.
Council will meet for committee meetings Nov. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at The Natatorium.