Stow City Council hears Miller's Landing developer's plan, residents' objections
Stow City Council is two steps away deciding the fate of the proposed Miller's Landing development after a first reading of the plan at Thursday's meeting drew about 50 residents.
A representative of PulteGroup, which wants to develop 45 two-story homes on 24.7 acres near Marsh Road, outlined its plan for council members. Several residents, however, said they fear the project would exacerbate flooding issues in the community and its temporary cul-de-sacs would create safety issues.
Also Thursday, opponents of the development who had sued the city after the Planning Commission declined their request to vacate several undeveloped roads near the site informed the council that they have ended their suit, which was withdrawn Monday from Summit County Common Pleas Court. An attorney for a landowner with parcels in the vicinity had warned at a Sept. 26 planning meeting that Stow would be forced to pay him millions of dollars if it honored the group's petition.
What Miller's Landing would look like
Pulte would construct Miller's Landing in two phases between Saratoga Boulevard and Marsh Road.
Each phase would include have its own new public road accessible from North River Road; both would end in a cul-de-sac.
Both would phases have a stormwater management detention basin near North River Road. Some residents have raised concerns that the two phases are not on contiguous parcels of land.
Each proposed lot will be a minimum of 16,000 square feet. The subdivision would offer five different home design products ranging from 2,323 square feet to 3,300 square feet; each option would come with a basement and a two-car garage.
The group Stop Miller's Landing has raised objections to cul-de-sacs, saying their length exceeding 1,300 feet violates the city's codes.
According to the information submitted by PulteGroup to the city, the cul-de-sacs would be temporary, and are not subject to the maximum 800-foot length stipulated by Stow.
John Slagter, the land use and zoning lawyer from the Tucker Ellis Law firm representing the property owner and developer, said that the plans for the property, which is zoned R-2, comply with the city's ordinances and state law.
"The individuals living near the property that don’t want development are simply trying to use political pressure and have the city ignore the law and ignore the property owner’s constitutionally protected rights," Slagter said. "Their disruption of the approval process is in direct opposition to the opinion of the larger population of Stow residents and realtors who wish to see a person’s individual property rights protected, and new move up housing options available in the city.”
According to a listing on the Pulte website, sales of the properties would start sometime in early 2024. Prices were not posted.
Previous Stow developments by Pulte include the Baker's Glen and Call's Farm subdivisions.
Residents worry about water issues, road layout
During the public comment period, residents raised their concerns about flooding and the cul-de-sacs.
"There is a huge issue with water runoff," said David Conti. He said he was a contractor who had performed work for several properties in that area, including on Saratoga Boulevard. "I can attest there are lakes that form in their backyards." He said he had questions on how the development would mitigate potential water runoff.
Cynthia Goldsmith also complained that she had heard there were water issues on previous properties developed by Pulte.
"They have no empathy with our issues," Goldsmith said. "I have not heard anything about buffers between my property and their property."
One resident said safety forces don't like cul-de-sacs in general due to safety and maneuverability issues, and the longer ones proposed could pose a potential safety risk.
Another resident voiced concerns about the 30-foot setbacks on the back property line, saying this was not enough of a buffer between the development and existing homes.
Background: Stow residents continue to push back against proposed Miller's Landing subdivision
What happens next?
Council President Jeremy McIntire said residents will have at least two more opportunities to voice their concerns at public meetings. The next Council meeting is Oct. 26. The soonest a vote would take place, McIntire said, would be Nov. 10.
Reporter April Helms can be reached at ahelms@thebeaconjournal.com
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Stow City Council hears Pulte plan for Miller's Landing development
