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.µ <br />emergency vehicle access, though further details would be needed for the final design, <br />particularly regarding the Stearns Road entrance and stormwater management. It was noted that <br />the Stearns Road entrance would initially be for construction only, with the final design being <br />right in, right out. The speaker commended the administration's efforts, calling the project a <br />landmark development, potentially the largest residential subdivision in the city in decades. They <br />also raised concerns about private road maintenance, snow removal, and rubbish collection, <br />suggesting these issues be addressed by the developer. The involvement of the West Creek <br />Conservancy and easement considerations were mentioned, and overall, the speaker praised the <br />project for meeting the community's housing needs. <br />Drees Homes, a privately held company, aimed to provide new housing stock for a market <br />segment that currently lacked options. They focused on maintaining the single-family <br />atmosphere of existing homes while incorporating modern design elements. The development <br />included two housing concepts: one for downsizers and empty nesters seeking low -maintenance <br />lifestyles, and the other to ensure compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood. The <br />development would feature fee simple lots and be maintained by homeowners associations <br />(HOA), with stormwater management shared by all 51 homes. The project also included two <br />parks: one private for residents and another public for everyone. Additionally, the company <br />partnered with West Creek Conservancy for a permanent easement and monitoring agreement to <br />protect natural areas and prevent violations by homeowners. This agreement would be funded by <br />a small fee added to each home closing, ensuring ongoing maintenance. <br />The speaker explained that the attached housing design would follow the same architectural style <br />as the single-family homes, ensuring no noticeable divide within the community. Elevations and <br />visuals were provided to demonstrate this, with plans for an Architectural Review Board (ARB) <br />to ensure consistency with the Western Reserve style. The private road would follow the same <br />engineering guidelines as public streets, with a 50 -foot right-of-way to allow for the development <br />of the community. The project met the price range requested in the RFP-RFQ, with introductory <br />pricing for attached homes starting in the high $300,OOOs and all floor plans initially offered <br />under $500,000. The speaker also clarified that the preliminary plan approval would cover site <br />layout, while final approval would address home styles, elevations, and other details. <br />Brian Molyhan, a resident of Tudor Drive, expressed concerns about the new development. He <br />mentioned living in the area for 10 years, noting the site was previously a forest, school, and <br />park. He questioned the density of the development, pointing out that with 51 units on about <br />eight acres, it seemed to be more of a cluster home development, not what had been discussed in <br />prior meetings. He also questioned the price range, suggesting that higher -value homes, over <br />$500,000, would be more appropriate for the area. Lastly, he voiced concern about the impact on <br />the size of yards, stating that the current residents value their space and that the proposed density <br />might not be the best use of the land. <br />Ray Corwin expressed dissatisfaction with the new development, recalling his memories of the <br />school that once existed on the site. He was unhappy with the increased traffic on Hampton <br />Drive, which he described as now resembling a highway, making it difficult for residents to <br />navigate. He was concerned that the new development would make his neighborhood noisier and <br />less peaceful, particularly affecting his ability to open his windows and enjoy his backyard. He <br />2 <br />