The city of Delaware’s Planning Commission tabled a proposal to rezone an 80-acre site along U.S. Route 23 for the Coughlin’s Crossing development project.
Due to being a member down, the commission took staff recommendation to take action on the proposal at its next meeting. Connie Klema of Delaware Development Plan LTD gave a 3D presentation of what the site, located west of Stratford Road and north of Meeker Way, would look like once completed.
“This particular site is a fantastic site for everything we’re asking for — for retail, for residential, it works,” she said.
“We believe this will bring people to your city and it will also be there for your city.”
The project would take three to five years to complete if it starts next Spring, she said.
The development, which breaks down the site into six sub-areas, could include a bed and breakfast, single-family houses, apartments, a nursing home, public parks, restaurants and retailers. The historic Janes House and Barn located on the site would be maintained for a potential tenant.
Commissioner Jim Halter said the development will help downtown to develop itself more in terms of its goals.
“I think they’ll complement each other; I really do,” he said. “I don’t think one will destroy the other.”
About 30 people attended the meeting including those involved with the project and the site’s nearby residents, who generally approved the project but had concerns about the development’s impact on traffic and property values. The city’s Planning Department has posted information about the project including storm water reports and traffic study on its website here at www.delawareohio.net.
“A beautiful layout like this and a development like this, is going to make just a wonderful first impression of Delaware to have it be an impressive city, a progressive city and competitive with other developments like in New Albany and Dublin,” said Scott Cubberly of Powell.
“The developer has worked so hard with these residents and it’s so evident by a lot of the comments that were made and the compliments that were given. This is a huge change in this area and I can really tell how much work was already done before this meeting,” Councilwoman Lisa Keller said.
In other business, the commission tabled a request for the city to vacate an alley near Euclid Avenue. The property owners of 210 Euclid Avenue intend to take ownership of the deteriorating alley in order to maintain it because it’s the only access to their home.The commission will make its decision after the owners revise the wording of a development agreement with adjacent property owners.
