Perrysburg council rejects rezoning request for condos

Three Perrysburg property issues were considered by city council  — with one drawing a standing-room only crowd.

The majority of the residents packed into council chambers Tuesday opposed the rezoning of “legacy residential” property on Sandusky Street, where the property owner was proposing to build “brownstone-like condominiums” that would be for sale, not rented.

The rezoning was rejected in a close council vote.

The six parcels make up 0.56 of an acre and are located on the south side of East Fifth Street between Locust and Sandusky streets. The rezoning change would have been from R3 (single family residential) to RM (multiple family residential).

Councilman Tim McCarthy, who is chairman of the planning and zoning committee, said there have been several concerns about the proposed development. They include doing a home design that would change the “legacy” look of the neighborhood and is too dense, and stressing an alley that is not designed to handle a dozen more vehicles.

Planning and zoning administrator Brody Walters is in favor of the project, Mr. McCarthy said. The city’s planning commission rejected the rezoning request, 6-1.

Aaron Schoen of Schoen Builders, which is based in Perrysburg, said this process has been disheartening.

His design would build high-quality homes near downtown at a price point that is more attainable, “which is a rarity for new construction in this town,” said Mr. Schoen, who also lives in Perrysburg.

They’ve worked with city officials to pare down the project from 12 units to seven and add green space, he said.

The site formerly had a gas station and is now a parking lot, Mr. Schoen said.

“It’s a prime candidate for rezoning within the city,” he said.

Several neighbors said they did not want the property rezoned.

“This is a legacy neighborhood, and we are resoundingly opposed,” said Pam Theil, of East Sixth Street. “The neighbors implore you to reject it.”

Stephen Dane, also of East Sixth Street, said the builders have demonstrated hard work and vision, but it doesn’t make this the right project.

“It’s not enough, it’s got to fit,” he said.

Sara Weisenberger, of West Front Street, said Mr. Schoen’s work is amazing

“Have you seen the stuff that he builds — beautiful,” she said. “I think it would be a beautiful addition to that spot, and an old beat-up parking lot.”

Richard Baranowksi, of Locust Street, said the area is a desirable place to live, and it should remain traditional housing.

“Everybody wants to live uptown, it’s good living,” he said. “This is a single-family house neighborhood, and I would like it to stay that way.”

Council rejected the rezoning, 4-3. Mr. McCarthy, Barry VanHoozen, Mark Weber, and Kerry Wellstein voted no. Kevin Fuller, Cory Kuhlman, and Rick Rettig voted yes.

After the vote, Mrs. Wellstein said Mr. Schoen should consider building a duplex there.

Mr. Rettig said he admired how Mr. Schoen changed his initial plan from 12 units to seven, after hearing concerns.

“The initial plan I was not in favor of, one bit, not at all,” he said. “The enhancements that you made compelled me to vote yes.”

Before the council meeting, there was a brief public hearing on the Harbor Town development, which is off State Rt. 25 between Five Point and Roachton roads and features a lighthouse on the 86-acre property.

The developers are proposing to build 165 multifamily units. The front of property will probably reserved for hospital use in the future, Mr. Walters said.

“This is not an appeal,” he said. “ This is an urban village overlay establishment, which creates overlay zones and use zones throughout the entire property.”

The planning commission has approved it, 5-0, Mr. Walters said.

Brian Gruber, with Ridge Stone Builders & Developers, said this is an update to a 14-year-old master plan for Harbor Town.

Chris Finkbeiner, of West River Road, said council needs to be mindful of more development in the city and how it will affect the school district. Voters in November and March failed two levies that would have built a new elementary school.

“That’s a crisis,” he said. “The people have spoken and said they don’t want to pay.

“I think it’s very important when you’re considering things like this that you take into consideration all the parameters that it’s going to add,” Mr. Finkbeiner said.

Mr. Gruber said one area was going to have 180 apartment units; that’s been reduced to 165.

“And they are not a true apartment. They are ‘renter by choice.’ They are single-story units. The whole key to that is we attract a different market,” he said. “We don’t want to tax the school.”

“They’re not three-bedroom, apartment style that would attract kids,” Mr. Gruber said.

Jon Hummel, of Elm Street, said Perrysburg is becoming a city of apartments.

“And I’m opposed to it. I don’t want transients in my community,” he said. “High-density housing to me is a no-no.”

The Harbor Town development was last before council in December when developers were proposing plans for 142 single-story rental homes through the city’s Architectural Review Committee.

Council voted unanimously to uphold the committee’s decision that the developers’ request to change the use of some land at Harbor Town was a “substantial” one. Members urged developers to go through more traditional means of changing zoning, and not the Architectural Review Committee.

The next action for this is before council’s planning and zoning committee at 5 p.m. May 28.

On Tuesday, council did approve rezoning 1.6 acres on the west side of Louisiana Avenue between Whiteside Drive and McAuley Court from R-4 (single family residential) to R-5 (two family residential) to allow for the development of duplex residential units.