Wetlands issues stall development

The developer attended a hearing but declined to speak.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
CORTLAND -- It will be some time before a local developer will know if he can continue his residential development on the near south side.
The W.A.E. Corp. of Cortland is planning to develop 17.7 acres east of the dead-end of Portal Drive, west of Cedar Avenue and south of Myrtle Avenue, just north of Lakeview High School.
The project requires an Ohio Environmental Protection Agency permit because about one acre of wetlands will be disturbed and some 600 feet of Robbie's Run Creek will be relocated.
The process
During an Ohio EPA public hearing Tuesday, Andrea Zacharias, the agency's public involvement coordinator, said it could take more than six months to more than a year to make a determination.
The issue can then be appeal to the Environmental Review Appeals Commission and then Franklin County Common Pleas Court.
W.A.E. also must obtain a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that identifies wetlands.
Two residents and a councilwoman expressed concerns about the project they believe will cause problems.
Tony Petrocco, W.A.E. president who attended the meeting, did not testify.
Councilwoman Deidre Petrosky expressed concerns that relocating a portion of Robbie's Run could result in erosion and flooding.
Petrosky also questions if some wetlands would become flooded and others drained.
Protests
Karen Reel, head of the Cortland Homeowners for Responsible Development, asserted that W.A.E. has filled in a creek that runs into Robbie's Creek without Ohio EPA approval during previous development of the area.
She argued that W.A.E.'s plan approved by the corps did not include filling in the creek. As a result, Reel asserted, backyards and basements have become flooded.
She questioned why neither the corps or Ohio EPA haven't required W.A.E. to correct the alleged problems.
Peter Clingan, environmental specialist with the EPA, said that concern may be addressed as the agency makes its determination concerning the permit.
"As citizens, we're very concerned that this process of not following the plan, not doing the work outlined on permit applications, and then not having any state or federal agency require W.A.E. Corp. to go back and do it properly will again happen," Reel said.
"It's a sad state of affairs when the citizens of a community have to become watchdogs to make sure that a developer is held responsible to meet the standards and requirements" established by the local, state and federal governments, she added.
Jim Nicholas, who lives on Portal to the west of the proposed development, expressed concern that the relocated Robbie's Run will cause erosion to his property, and increase a drop-off that already exists.
The creek will be 20 feet to 30 feet from his house if moved.
yovich@vindy.com