Vote No
Notice how similar the road paths are!
Thank You all signers!!
City Council voted 4 to 3 for PND zoning for Vernonview.
Janis Seavolt, Mel Severns, and Tammy Woods voted no, standing with the people
We can thank the council persons for the people.
Green high lighted
What is meant by more flexible FEMA and EPA standards for PND?
Old wisdom is different now!
Sometimes nature we wish to defy
I observe from my deck high and dry
How nature slows the water going by
The 50 year wisdom of development we deny
The lure of this parcel, what a buy
The cost to develop this parcel, Oh my
Is it an obstacle in a path we want to go by
The cost of the road alone, could we justify
We must not forget the road must go on
So let us defy nature’s groan
Regard not, homes residents now own
Because the road must go on
Let us place our trust in the pond
Of which future residents may not be so fond
Cost of maintenance to which they will be bound
A magnet for geese abound
Despite stored water potential
Compromised by storms torrential
Remember the road is essential
Even if traffic becomes detrimental
Worry not about the terrain
Construction equipment will soon reign
Natural infiltration will decline
The road must go on, keep that in mind
How will history look at this project we make
Will the road be worth all the risks we take
Will we smile at the unmaintained lake
Or will we resign to it being our favorite mistake
Do you think Mount Vernon will live up to being a tree city after the "0" Vernonview project?
If you don't send a message to:
(email link is active)
Carrie Morrow-Urban Forestry Administrator
Division of Forestry
2045 Morse Road, Bldg. H-1
Columbus, OH 43229
614-265-6509
Commission comments
“City Engineer Brian Ball said the updated zoning code tightens areas where developers had too much leeway. It also provides flexibility in FEMA and EPA requirements. “ (Knox Pages)
“City Engineer Brian Ball said the updated zoning code tightens areas where developers had too much leeway. It also provides flexibility in FEMA and EPA requirements. “ (Knox Pages)
- The laws of physics do not change, so how can FEMA and EPA requirements flex?
- The runoff from pavement and roofs will be up to or more than10 times greater than a wooded area
- This high density project will replace 20-30 acres of woodland in this tree city
- Slopes that are equal to or greater than 40% should not be excavated
- Retention ponds should be dredged annually ( Will this happen with out of state ownership?)
- The 85 drop off from East to West will produce greater velocity of water that would increase pond breach potential
- With out prior environmental studies no PND zoning should be made. Without
- a full development plan no PND zoning should be made.
- The retention ponds adjacent to existing property does present en-easement problems to utilities and continuing maintenance to ponds
- Liability by developer is limited to an eight year statue
- Until a traffic study is complete no zone change really should be granted
- No valid traffic remedy has been offered
- Historic rains are always a problem, but with increased potential runoff , catastrophic damage could be inflicted on center run by under designed and/or under maintained ponds
- Are the risks of high density housing that funds the road worth it?
State Your Concerns to Council
The People Have Spoken
No real plan for traffic resolution on SR 768
Municipal Planning Commission
LACIE BLANKENHORN,
Clerk of Commission
Development Services Manager
Office: 740-393-2033
Email: dsm@mountvernonohio.org
(5) Regular Members:
MATT STARR, Chairman/Mayor
office 740-393-9517
40 Public Square # 203
Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050
TANNER SALYERS,
Safety-Service Director
office 740-393-9520
40 Public Square # 203
Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050
AUSTIN B. SWALLOW
55 MALLARD POINT
MOUNT VERNON, OHIO 43050
TODD HAWKINS
12 FOX CHASE DR
MOUNT VERNON, OH 43050
ANNE ELLSWORTH
1270 GAMBIER RD
MOUNT VERNON, OH 43050
(2) Alternate Members:
JASON WEST - Alternate
105 N GAY ST
MOUNT VERNON, OH 43050
ERIC DIEHL - Alternate
13 CRAIG DR
MOUNT VERNON OH 43050
ORDINANCES FOR FIRST READING O R D I N A N C E N O . 2 0 2 4 - 2 1 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF PARCEL #66-07961.000, ALSO KNOWN AS 0 VERNONVIEW DRIVE, FROM THE PRESENT ZONING OF R-1 - SINGLE FAMILY DISTRICT, TO PND - PLANNED NEIGHBORHOOD DISTRICT
Mount Vernon Municipal Planning Commission to consider mixed-used development off Vernonview Drive
Mayor Matt Starr | City of Mount Vernon
The Mount Vernon Municipal Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing this month to discuss the proposed mixed-use development of Arista Villas. The project, spanning nearly 40 acres on Vernonview Drive, includes plans for 46 single-family homes, 150 apartments, and 24 townhomes.
Clint M. Huhra of Arista Villages Mount Vernon, based in Baltimore, Maryland, emphasized the importance of addressing housing demands in the developer's application. He stated, "Recognizing the influx of residents from Columbus and other influencing factors, it's imperative to address the area's housing demands while preserving its rich history and allure. Additionally, our plan integrates existing traffic patterns and desired roundabouts outlined in the town's master plan, which will be gradually implemented in the coming years." This statement was included in the Municipal Planning Commission's meeting agenda for April 11.
According to the same agenda document, during its meeting at City Hall at 4 p.m., the planning commission will consider a zoning amendment request. The change would see the property's zoning status shift from R1 to Planned Neighborhood District.
The developer has proposed two-story single-family detached homes with a minimum floor area of 1,200 square feet. These lots would occupy approximately 19.1 acres of the property. The planned apartment units would each cover a minimum of 700 square feet and be housed within five three-story buildings with a maximum height limit of 35 feet. These structures would use up about 10.4 acres of the site. In addition to these dwellings, there are plans for four buildings housing 24 townhomes with a minimum floor area of 1,000 square feet each. These buildings would not exceed two stories or 30 feet in height and would cover around 5.2 acres of the site.
As per information contained in the Municipal Planning Commission's meeting agenda for April 11, a clubhouse and shared amenities area would occupy 1.7 acres of the site. The amenities space would include sports courts, a fenced pool area, and 19 parking stalls, two of which would be ADA compliant.
The Arista Villas site map indicates that the single-family homes and townhomes will have individual waste receptacles stored in their garages. In contrast, the apartment units will utilize dumpsters for trash collection.
2024 project with through street
Scenes from my backyard does not reflect the 85 foot drop
Retention pond responsibility and costs
Legal responsibility to neighboring properties
Please spread the word and share this site:
mvoark.org
send your concerns to:
dsm@mountvernonohio.org
Save Mount Vernon from
Man Made Floods
Runoff from 2 inch rain (est.)
| | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1,281,239 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1,232,361 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1,183,483 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1,130,418 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1,081,740 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| gallons | 1,033,062 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 984,383 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| of | 935,705 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 887,027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| water | 838,349 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 789,670 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| of | 740,992 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 692,314 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| runoff | 643,635 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 594,957 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 546,279 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 497,600 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 448,922 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 400,244 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 351,566 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 302,887 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 254,209 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 205,531 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 156,852 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 108,174 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | ||||
| Acres X runoff % |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The red portion of the graph represents
increased potential
run above last years
R3 zoning request
A recent observation (2/15/2024)
Some of you may have heard the news. Joshua Williams went forward with the purchase of the Cochran property. The Cochran family caved in to a threat of a lawsuit for backing out of the sale contract even when an attorney advising them said that they had legal standing to do revoke the contract. This move does not change anything about our position on how we believe that the current zoning is the best use of the land and should be developed as single-family housing.
You heard at the Commission meeting that the city would be more amenable to considering a PND rezoning of the property. PND is a zoning that has to have a mix of single-family homes, town homes and apartments. Even with a PND zoning, he could create a scenario like he has done in Crestline where the single-family homeowners have to pay a lease for the land that the house sits on. They own their house but not the land.
We, of course, would oppose the PND zoning concept as well.
What's next, you ask.
Now that Joshua owns the land, he has options. 1. Develop it as a R-1, single family site. 2. Sell it "as is" and try to recoup any expense incurred to date. 3. Spend significant time and money to develop a site plan that would be acceptable to the Commission and enough that the Commission would approve the PND rezoning application. He cannot request another R-3 rezoning for 12 months. 4. Partner with another developer and build the units in phases that could take years to complete the entire project.
There are perhaps other options, but I am convinced that Joshua Williams is not the right fit for Mount Vernon.
I believe he and his financial backers are so set on creating a long-term revenue generating rental development that they may try another rezoning attempt. We will be ready to fight off that attempt just like the first attempt. I hope we can count on your support. I will continue to keep you updated as this moves forward.This may still be a cause of concern for people down stream as well as every house hold in Mount Vernon, due to increased water run off, costing you in your water bills and/or your property damage.
The impact comes quickly:
Vernonview runoff and development dangers
https://www.yahoo.com/news/extreme-floods-happening-way-more-071229393.html
https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/ID/ID-257-W.pdf
https://www.stcplanning.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/WaterRunsDownhill_Guidance.pdf
send your concerns to:
dsm@mountvernonohio.org
Save Mount Vernon from
Man Made Floods
Zoning change from R1 to R3
On Vernonview
Only adjacent landowners would
have been informed normally
Very often in life when we finally verify that we can do
something, we forget to answer an important question:
should we?
Mount Vernon is a unique community, with beautiful
landscape. If the water courses are disturbed
like planned, it will start a chain of
irrevocable damage to drainage and water courses.
It will also start irrevocable corrosion of the
city’s character and appeal.
If this project does commence, there will be but one thing
to do: share this story with other communities,
so they don’t follow this disastrous path.
If you feel the same please email
these council reps!
mseverns@mountvernonohio.org
In direct terms just the 20.25 acres
of roofs+
pavement= 1,122,000 gal or 20,000
A recent observation (2/15/2024)
barrels of water
during a 2 inch storm
woodland = 6- 10% runoff
pavement= 90% runoff
roofs=90-100% runoff
20.25 acres now has runoff(est)
67,320 to 112,000 gal
with proposed development of 20.25
acres runoff (est) = 1,009,800 gal
It is important that you state your concerns
about future
flood damages
Dear neighbors :
I am Ron Homan from 21 Upland Terrace. You may be aware that there is a proposed development project to the East of Vernonview (768). This project is to build a 232 unit townhouse complex between Wood Side Dr. and Upland Terrace. If you look at the property in question, you will notice the plan is to build town houses in a steep and large water course. Since we are adjacent to this development, only we are formally informed. Our house is 15 foot above the water course, so we will not be impacted by water problems. However every property down stream is in danger of flooding and water damage.
By law, down stream properties must accept all natural water flow. However, liability can arise if unreasonable alteration of a water course results in increased water flow, but only if the increased discharge is objected to in advance!!
“There is authority to the effect that a landowner is not entitled to damages caused by the discharge of water where he or she did not object to such discharge until after the damage was done.” https://www.eagle-law.com/wp-content/uploads/Paper-Clayman.pdf
Be it understood, if people in water endangered properties don’t object now, there may be no recourse for damage reimbursements in the future. As victims of increased water discharge you may see a higher storm water fee on their water bill after you pay for the property damage yourself.
Email objection to: dsm@mountvernonohio.org
or mail to: Municipal Planning Commission
City of Mount Vernon, Ohio
40 Public Square
Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050
or call: 740-393-2033
or
There is a meeting on May 4 for rezoning, please object prior to this date.
Please visit and share this site: mvoark.org
Ronald C. Homan
Where does the water go?
Down to near Kroger.
The culvert now flows at capacity
during heavy rain
Who will be responsible for flooding if the numbers from water runoff are not correct?
Could your water bill go up if there are flooding issues down stream?
Yes, its possible because now there is a rider on your water bill for correction of ground water problems!!
click here if you don't want your water bills to go up because of this project
Note neighbors down the street (Upland Terrace) are already having water problems!!
People down stream may want to state concerns about possible future water damage now, so responsibility can be assigned in the future.
Everyone in Mount Vernon should consider responding to ward off possible water bill increases caused by this project.
Send your questions to:
dsm@mountvernonohio.org
or call: 740-393-2033
PS. This project includes a fire and rescue station on Vernonview Dr.
If you are familiar with this street (768), you might realize the dangers and difficulties of dispatching squads. (This a share the road with pedestrians area)
Letters from citizens opposed
letter 001
Dear Mayor Starr, Municipal Planning Committee Members and City Council:
We want to express our strong opposition to the proposed rezoning from R-1 to R-3 of the property located on Vernonview Drive between Woodside Drive and Upland Terrace. The proposed change to R-3 to permit high density, multi-family rental units is inappropriate for that location for numerous reasons.
The most obvious reason concerns traffic in the area. A problem already exists on Vernonview Drive, a two lane road that was not designed to accommodate its current volume. Even if the road could be widened and lanes added, it would still funnel into a congested bottleneck at Coshocton with no viable solution. Drivers who attempt to exit The Fairways and the other neighborhood streets face the challenge of seeing approaching traffic from the north because
the hill blocks their view. Furthermore, the intersection of Vernonview Drive and Coshocton Avenue is clogged several times a day because of poor access to businesses. Kroger’s entrances and exits are dangerous. The absence of sidewalks in the area causes pedestrians to walk in the street. Adding more traffic, especially the heightened volume that the proposed development would produce, would be adding to the area’s traffic nightmare. The proposed rental properties would undoubtedly have a high number of school age children who would
need to be bussed in and out of the area, endangering them and stopping traffic.
Although traffic problems pose a significant reason for not rezoning, they are not the only reason for not rezoning. A former law enforcement officer who lives in the area expressed sincere concern that this type of rental population would bring a rise in crime into our neighborhoods. The property value of the existing single family homes will be negatively impacted by the proposed high density, multi-family, three-story townhouses and apartment RENTALS. This type of housing will undoubtedly detract from the appeal of our neighborhoods. This type of housing is incongruent with the existing homes and current construction in the area.
There are already several existing plans for developments in the Mount Vernon area that include hundreds of rentals and single family homes. This type of housing is not needed or wanted between Woodside Drive and Upland Terrace.
This proposed rezoning appears to be an ill conceived plan by a developer and it is NOT what the sellers wanted for this property and NOT what the home owners in the surrounding area want. It is NOT a good plan for our community. We believe this sort of housing is not appropriate anywhere in Mount Vernon!
Careful planning and forethought should to be applied by our City Council and Municipal Planning Committee for any new developments.
Please reject this rezoning proposal and any future attempts to change zoning in the area from R-1. Any future development on this property should be decent single family housing that is comparably priced with the existing houses, which has been what was planned for this area.
That is what is in shortage in Mount Vernon!
Sincerely,
Eric and Katherine Noblet
11 Fairway Ct.
Mount Vernon, OH 43050
letter 002
Dear Sir:
We moved to Mt.Vernon five years ago. It is the perfect location centering us between family in west central Ohio, and our children 2 in Delaware Ohio and 2 in the Cleveland area. We chose this community because it is the perfect blend of rural and urban. It is labeled a "Tree City".
With this thought in mind, it has come to my attention that there are powers that wish to change the zoning on the tract of land 66-07961.000 from R1 (individual residence) to R3 (apartment housing) to allow Townhouses (232 units) to be built north of our home. This stretch of land has been woodlands for many years. This will possibly level 40 acres of woodlands.
There are numerous reasons that this is a bad choice. But I want to focus on the importance and benefits of woodlands.
1. Woodlands protect the community by slowing wind speeds.
(Celina Ohio, where we once lived, took down some woods and and developed a marsh area to allow for some large stores to be built. This happened around 10-15 years ago. Since then, that area has had numerous tornadoes. They never had that problem before this intrusion on the local environment.)
2. Trees protect against soil erosion and intercept storm water runoff.
3. Trees and woodlands moderate surrounding air and soil temperature.
4. Trees clean the air, and provides oxygen.
5. Woodlands reduce bothersome noise.
6. Woodlands provide a habitat for wildlife.
7. Woodlands improve our mental health and sense of well-being. (Ron and I bring communion to some residents at Country Court nursing home. We have had the conversation with a resident that viewing the wildlife from their window, is the highlight of their day.)
Please heed my advice, and keep this as a R1 zone. I believe this will protect Mt. Vernon from some damages due to nature's forces, and help the well-being of some nursing home resident
Sincerely,
Susan Homan
21 Upland Terrace
letter003
City planning commission:
Very often in life when we finally verify that we can do something, we forget to answer an important question: should we?
For 50 years the land in question for development was not developed. Why? Was it because it had a 100 foot drop off? Was it because there were already water issues at 1,3,5,7,9,11and 13 Upland Terrace?
Now the question is: What will be done to fully address the water runoff of 20+ developed acres with a 2 inch rain, which is over 1,000,000 gallons? What are the implications a rainy period, consisting of multiples of large rains? Will the costs storm water problems related to this project be issued to the storm water fee on our water bills? What weather data will b
click
e used to determine the size of retention ponds? Will water need to be diverted?
Mount Vernon is a unique community, with beautiful landscape. If the water courses are disturbed like planned, it will start a chain of irrevocable damage to drainage and water courses. It will also start irrevocable corrosion of the city’s character and appeal.
If this project does commence, there will be but one thing to do: share this stories with other communities, so they don’t follow this disastrous path.
Ronald C Homan
21 Upland Terrace
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