By Danielle Coots
For the News-Current
BEAVERCREEK — Charlie Simms of Simms Development didn’t receive the green light to move forward with the site plans for the Cottages of Beavercreek. Instead, city council members requested additional information. Therefore, Simms’ request for approval was tabled until the next City Council meeting on Oct. 24.
The property located at the property of County Line Road and Weber Drive used to be that of a horse farm. Now, the Simms Development has suggested approval of a site plan for the 20.3 acres to construct 84 multi-family condo units within 14 buildings.
The Beavercreek Planning Commission recently approved Simms site plan with 25 conditions, namely that construction hours will only commence 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, installation of a street light at the intersection of Quill Road and Straight Arrow Road for the safety of children at the bus stop, modification to the existing traffic signal at the intersection of Straight Arrow Road and County Line Road allowing easier left turns and the emergency access at Quill Road shall be restricted by collapsible bollards or a gate.
During the public hearing, residents were mostly concerned about the existing wooded area and they questioned how much would be destroyed by the development. Simms Development is donating two acres of the property located to the west to the Beavercreek Park’s Department to allow the city to connect current parks in the area.
Many of the hanging issues with this development were discussed during the rezoning process, including concerns and opinions regarding an emergency access road at Terrance Drive.
After residents’ input and the Fire Department’s determination on rather to have this road a Beavercreek maintained permanent road or a non-motorized one-lane access that can sustain the weight of the Fire Department’s ladder truck, it was determined to keep this access point a non-motorized access.
During the site plan presentation and council discussion, council members Deborah Wallace and Chad Whilding requested to see a report regarding the cost to the city should the emergency access road be a permanent road and maintained by the City.
“I’m concerned with us creating an island neighborhood by having the emergency bollard and not a roadway coming off Straight Arrow and Quill. We should have neighborhoods that connect together because that helps disburse traffic. I think this is something that we are overlooking,” Whilding said.
The non-motorized access was initially a compromise between the developer, residents and the fire department. “So if we changed it to open it up to a public road, we would have to take on more street maintenance. I would like to see the cost of that before deciding,” said Wallace.
The plan still needs to be reviewed for easements and setback approval. The Beavercreek Fire Department will also be requesting an additional 50 foot set-back to allow them to do private maintenance to the emergency access if it remains private.
This issue will be before city council during the next scheduled meeting, Oct. 24.
