Zoning panel to consider request for villa project

The plan is for 23 paired and nine single-family villas within the development.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
CANFIELD -- A proposed zone change would clear the way for 55 villa units off Tippecanoe Road.
A hearing before the Canfield Township Zoning Commission is set for 7 p.m. Thursday in township hall on the request of RDW Co. of Canfield to change the zoning of about 16 acres off Tippecanoe Road, south of Fawn Drive for a planned unit development.
The property is zoned for single-family homes.
RDW plans a planned unit development, as part of Tippecanoe Woods, that would consist of 23 paired and nine single-family villas for a total of 55 units.
Previous plan
Dave Morrison, township zoning inspector, said the developer had submitted a similar plan in 2004, but that was withdrawn because township zoning regulations required that at least 30 percent of a PUD be single-family homes. The preliminary plan didn't meet that requirement, he said.
In April, the township amended its zoning regulations eliminating that requirement.
"We just thought it was too restrictive," Morrison said.
The Mahoning County Planning Commission recommended approval of the latest proposal at a meeting last month.
Notices of the proposal change were sent to contiguous property owners and Tim Smigiel of Fawn Drive distributed fliers to his neighbors encouraging them to attend the hearing.
Smigiel said he's not organizing a protest, he wants to know more about the plan and wants his neighbors to have the information too.
Community's best interests
"If they're going to jam too many homes in a small space and make it look like cluster homes, I don't think that's good for any of us," Smigiel said.
After the zoning commission recommends approval or denial at its meeting this week, the request will go to township trustees at a hearing at 6 p.m. June 20.
"It may appeal to people who have children living in Tippecanoe Woods who don't want to deal with lawn maintenance and snow removal," Morrison said. "They can move into the villas and be close to their grandkids."
Morrison said such PUDs are appealing for the township because they usually draw people with adult children so it brings in more revenue for the school district but doesn't drain resources because it doesn't bring more children into the schools.