Fallsnewspress.com - Senior subdivision goes before City Council Dec. 8

by Steve Wiandt

Reporter

Cuyahoga Falls -- Whether a developer can change a subdivision's name, turn condos into rentals, and require at least one tenant to be older than 55 will be decided by City Council on Dec. 8.

Joe Bierne of Mission Creek LLC has requested to amend Sweetbriar Creek's preliminary and final subdivision plats and its road dedication plat, said Fred Guerra, the city's planning director, during Council's planning and zoning committee meeting Dec. 1.

"This is [a] reworking of a project to meet today's changes in the economy," said Guerra. "It was originally owner-occupied condominiums, but the market has changed. There's not a real market for condominiums today, so in order to make this project work [Bierne] had to think outside the box."

"We want elderly only, or active adults as we call them," said Bierne, adding he will require at least one member of each household be 55 or older. The development will feature what Bierne calls "independent living with services." He said it will be affiliated with Falls Retirement Village and services such as linens, housecleaning, transportation and recreation will be offered to tenants.

Councilmember Mary Ellen Pyke (R-2) said there is a need for a development like this; however, there have been apartment complexes in the past that opened as senior housing, but later accepted tenants of all ages. Councilmembers asked Guerra to add a stipulation that Bierne's development will always be for seniors. Guerra said he would.

The preliminary and final plats were approved by Council in 2004, Guerra said. Council approved changing the road from private to public in 2006, but it was never dedicated, he said. Amendments would dedicate the street, currently known as Lavender Lane, calling it Sweetbriar Drive, and change the name of the subdivision to Mission Creek.

In the first phase, 38 units are planned, eight of which are already built; Phase 2 will have 114 units. Developers plan to start Phase 1 as soon as possible. A time line has not been set for Phase 2.

Proposed amendments to the final plat will permit all buildings in Phase 1 to be built as rental units and allow two future buildings to be constructed as four-plex, single-story rental units instead of two-story owner-occupied townhouses. Installation of sprinkler systems inside every unit in both phases, including eight units that have already been built, will be required by amendment.

Eleven units in Phase 2 will be single-story, attached ranch rental units with private drives, an amendment to the preliminary plat states. Three more units will be rental townhouses, as well as a future phase close to Howe Avenue.

The entire loop of the street will not be dedicated, Guerra said. The main part of the street will end in a cul-de-sac which, in the future, will extend to the west in a connection with Bailey Road, he said. Eventually the street will also tie into Buckingham Gate to the east, Guerra said.

E-mail: Swiandt@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3141