Residents raise concerns about proposed PUD

The village planning and zoning inspector initially opposed the project.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
LORDSTOWN -- A proposed planned unit development behind village hall is running into opposition from those concerned about property values.
The PUD would allow construction of single-family houses, up to four-plex condominiums, and small commercial stores across from Woodridge Road -- an upscale neighborhood of 16 homes.
The Woodridge homes are valued at 250,000 and higher and all were built about two years ago in a rural setting.
Lordstown does not have a PUD classification in its zoning regulations, and this would be the first one in the village.
The additional classification has been approved by the village planning commission and is now being considered by village council.
DANCO General Contractors LLC is proposing the development on 117 acres. Company partners are Dan Wilson, son of Councilwoman Mary Jane Wilson; and Dan Cuckovich.
"We all live here and we're not going to do anything that will jeopardize the community," Cuckovich said.
For DANCO to go forward, the PUD designation must be approved by council. Then, the company must apply for and receive a zone change, explained Ron Barnhart, village planning and zoning administrator.
Change of heart
Barnhart said he was at first opposed to the PUD, but DANCO has increased the square footage of the houses and size of lots. There will also be sidewalks.
"I'm sure it's not going to satisfy some people," Barnhart said.
One of them is Ed Adamczyk, who owns a home along Woodridge. He says he and his neighbors are irked because, among other things, it was only by "luck" that they learned of the proposal being considered by council.
He explained that a neighbor got an anonymous telephone call that a PUD was being considered by the village planning commission.
Barnhart said the public isn't required to be notified because a zone change is not being requested, only the creation of a classification.
Another concern of Adamczyk and his neighbors is that the area was once posted as wetlands, but the sign was taken down.
Barnhart explained that the sign was removed by the village. He checked with the Army Corps of Engineers in Pittsburgh and was told the area doesn't have a wetland designation, he added.
Home-value concerns
The lower cost of the houses will "dilute the value" of the Woodridge homes, Adamczyk said.
"That's not acceptable to those who live on the street. It's detrimental," he added. "We're very proud of what we have."
Cuckovich said the houses will sell for between 179,000 and 220,000. "The houses will make a good community," he added.
If anyone wants to see the style of the planned homes, they can see one that's being built at 1250 Mary Drive, he said.
Some members of council and the planning commission have seen The Shores in Perry, Ohio, near Zanesville, and were impressed, Cuckovich explained. DANCO's project is being copied from The Shores, he added.
Adamczyk is also concerned that the PUD will allow for up to eight living units per acre, while Woodridge has about two homes on an acre.
Barnhart countered that the village allows six living units per acre. The PUD would allow for eight units per acre -- two four-plexes per acre.
He noted that some communities allow up to 16 units an acre.
A primary fear, Adamczyk said, is the possibility that once the houses and condos are built they won't sell.
"A PUD turns to HUD," Adamczyk said, a reference to its becoming federally subsidized housing with rents partially paid by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for those of low and moderate incomes.
DANCO plans to construct two model houses for display at the beginning of the development and not build anything until they are sold, Barnhart and Cuckovich said.
yovich@vindy.com