TRUMBULL CO. PLANNING Panel tables matter of Howland proposal

A company wants to develop single-family homes.
By ED RUNYAN
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A proposed 53-unit single-family residential community known as Villas at Howland Hills has sparked disapproval from residents living nearby.
The development's preliminary plans were discussed at a Trumbull County Planning Commission plats and zoning committee meeting last week. The committee, however, tabled the matter so that Howland Township's zoning office can address the issue first.
Universal Development and Landmark Real Estate have proposed the subdivision for 32 acres just south of state Route 82 on a hill just east of state Route 46.
The development's primary entrance would be on Howland-Wilson Road just 450 feet south of the intersection with state Route 82. The developers, however, are proposing two other access points at dead-end streets: One at Huntley Drive and one at Howland Springs Boulevard.
The access at Howland Springs Boulevard would be a "gated emergency access" that would be accessible only to anyone with bolt cutters -- such as emergency personnel, said Robert Burkey, an attorney representing the developers.
Residents in attendance
Three nearby residents of the area attended the county planning commission meeting Tuesday to get more information on the development. They also asked questions about a small lot split that the commission approved on the edge of the proposed development.
The lot split allows the owners of the so-called LeMasters Division to split off about two-thirds of an acre from this division so that the land and house there can be sold to John Lyons, who has been living in the house for several months.
By a 5-1 vote, the planners approved that measure with the understanding that it still needs approval from the Howland Board of Zoning Appeals. Voting no was board member Larry Wright.
Planning commission staff members recommended denial of two variances the developers sought for the Villas at Howland Hills: the gated emergency secondary access and the access at Howland-Wilson Road.
What's required
Howland zoning regulations require two access roads for a development of 25 lots or more or development area of more than 10 acres. They also require the access at Howland Wilson Road to be three times farther away from state Route 82 than what the developer has proposed.
Mark Zuppo, Howland's planning and zoning director, said residents in the area around the development organized when the owner of the property first proposed apartments. He said he thinks it is possible for some type of development to occur in the area, but wetlands and other issues will have to be addressed.
The plats and zoning commission and planning commission have also tabled a proposed development for a residential subdivision known as the Cambridge Commons proposed for 9.2 acres on Henn Hyde Road in Howland. The development would include 19 single-family homes.
Though the planning department staff recommended preliminary plan approval of this development, Zuppo asked that the matter be tabled until he can also review that proposal.
runyan@vindy.com