The Washington Township Zoning Commission met in regular session on January 18, 2005 in the Meeting Room of Washington Township Government Center. Members of the Commission present were Mr. Rogers, Mr. Drain, Mrs. Winwood, and Mrs. Zobrist.

Call to order at 7:00 p.m.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

All in attendance were duly sworn in.

MOTION - Mrs. Zobrist moved the minutes of December 21, 2004 be approved as submitted.
Motion seconded by Mrs. Winwood.

VOTE - Mr. Rogers, abstain; Mr. Drain, yes; Mrs. Winwood, yes; Mrs. Zobrist, yes.

CASE Z-544C - Rahn Dental Group Inc., LLC

Request is for a change in zoning from Planned Development Office 2 (PD-O2) to Planned Development Office 2 (PD-O2) final stage for the approval of an additional office building containing approximately 5662 square feet.

Tom Toberen, Deputy Administrator, presented the case.

Applicant represented by Jim Bauman, Architect, 6520 Fir Tree Circle, Englewood; and John Burkhardt, Burkhardt Engineering, 195 Byers Road, Miamisburg.

Mr. Drain - Questioned the parking calculations.
Mr. Toberen - Based on the information submitted, they are required 119 spaces and the plans show 124 spaces. There is a variance that provides 12 spaces on the church property.

Mrs. Winwood - Does the 124 spaces include the 12 spaces in the variance?
Mr. Toberen - No.

Mr. Drain - Feels the parking area could use more landscaping.
Mr. Bauman - Since they are over in parking spaces they could add landscape islands in the parking lot.

Mr. Drain - Are you using the same building materials and brick color for this building?
Mr. Bauman - Yes.

Citizens voicing concerns, questions and comments included:

James Kay, 5688 Far Hills Avenue - Concerned if any of the existing trees on the lot will be saved.
Mr. Bauman - None of the perimeter trees will be affected.

Mr. Burkhardt - Addressed the drainage review and the detention basin sizes. There is room to increase the capacity of the detention basin if needed.

Mr. Drain - What are the plans for re-platting the property?
Mr. Burkhardt - They plan on re-platting the site into 3 lots with separate ownership.

Public hearing closed.

Commission remarks, concerns and comments included:

Mr. Rogers - Thinks it is a good looking building and supports the request.

Mrs. Zobrist - Would want to make sure the drainage is addressed.

MOTION - Mr. Rogers moved in Case Z-544C to approve applicant's request for a change in zoning from Planned Development Office 2 (PD-O2) to Planned Development Office 2 (PD-O2) final stage for the approval of an additional office building containing approximately 5662 square feet subject to: 1) staff comments; 2) adequate drainage; and 3) landscaping to be in line with township requirements.

Motion seconded by Mrs. Winwood.

VOTE - Mr. Rogers, yes; Mr. Drain, yes; Mrs. Winwood, yes; Mrs. Zobrist, yes.

Case Z-544C approved with modifications.

CASE Z-662 - Opal M. Ream (Charles Simms Development)

Request is for a change in zoning from the current Agricultural (A) to Planned Development Residential Multi-Family (PD-RM) two stage and for first stage approval for 70 multi-family dwelling units on approximately 11.78 acres.

Mr. Rogers excused himself from hearing the case due to a potential conflict of interest.

Tom Toberen, Deputy Administrator, presented the case.

Applicant represented by John Petersen, Woolpert, Inc., 409 E. Monument Ave.

Mr. Drain - Asked about the surrounding uses.
Mr. Toberen - Stated that there is single-family to the north, east and southeast, a church to the west and vacant land to the southwest.

Mrs. Winwood - Did the suburban neighborhood specify single family versus multi-family?
Mr. Toberen - Was not sure if it was designated. It was a higher density to encourage infill development.

Mrs. Zobrist - Will there be a clubhouse or pool?
Mr. Petersen - No.

Mr. Drain - Will there be public or private streets?
Mr. Petersen - They will most likely be private.

Mrs. Winwood - Will the homes have basements?
Mr. Petersen - No.

Mr. Drain - Feels that single-family in the area of two units per acre would fit nicely on this property.

Citizens voicing concerns, questions and comments included:

Don Compton, 1190 W. Spring Valley Road - Would like to see natural gas and sanitary sewer extended down Spring Valley so they could tap into it.

Michael Werneke, 1187 W. Spring Valley - Concerned with the density and the amount of traffic already on Spring Valley. The multi-family will cause his property value to go down. Questioned how the single-family home fits into the PD-RM district.

Peter Maruszowski, 8816 Union Springs Court - Concerned with traffic in the area and the overcrowding of schools.

Fred Swanson, 1164 W. Spring Valley - Has concerns with the density and the lack of sanitary sewer on Spring Valley.

Andy Hartley, 8901 Wildfire Court - Agrees with the 2.0 to 2.5 units per acre called for in the Create the Vision plan.

Dan McMillan, 8881 Wildfire Court - Concerned with drainage problems.

Randy Bullard, 8866 Yankee Rose Court - Concerned with drainage. Their ponds already overflow.

Mr. Petersen - They will be bringing sanitary and water to the site. It is typical for Charles Simms to bring natural gas to his developments. They will have to meet Montgomery County drainage requirements.

Public hearing closed.

Commission remarks, concerns and comments included:

Mrs. Zobrist - Density is an issue. Doesn't feel this is the best plan for this property.

Mrs. Winwood - Feels we should follow the Create the Vision Master Plan and stick with the 2 to 2.5 units per acre density since a lot of time went into the plan.

Mr. Drain - Would like to see a single family development.

MOTION - Mrs. Zobrist moved in Case Z-662 to table applicant's request for a change in zoning from the current Agricultural (A) to Planned Development Residential Multi-Family (PD-RM) two stage and for first stage approval for 70 multi-family dwelling units on approximately 11.78 acres to allow the developer time to consider reducing the density.

Motion seconded by Mrs. Winwood.

VOTE - Mr. Drain, yes; Mrs. Winwood, yes; Mrs. Zobrist, yes.

Case Z-662 tabled.

CASE Z-663 - Riverain Ltd. Partnership & Yankee Center Ltd.

Request is for a change in zoning from the current Industrial 1 (I-1) to Planned Development Transition (PD-T) and for first stage approval for a residential development containing 265 units on approximately 86 acres.

Tom Toberen, Deputy Administrator, presented the case.

Applicant represented by Jeff Hyman, Burnside Homes, 2400 Wisconsin Avenue, Downers Grove, Illinois; and Bo Gunlock, RG Properties, 8163 Old Yankee Street.

Mr. Drain - What is the average price for the homes?
Mr. Hyman - Four units will be $245,000; the doubles will be in the range of $250,000 to $275,000; and the single family homes will be in the range of $295,000 to $325,000.

Mr. Drain - Why don't you continue this same development to the south piece of property?
Mr. Hyman - They try to keep their developments under 200 units.

Mr. Drain - Stated that Washington Township is very "density" conscience. Questioned if they could develop this at 2.5 units per acre?
Mr. Hyman - They would be willing to look at that.

Mrs. Zobrist - What if one type of unit is a better seller? Would you change the number of units?
Mr. Hyman - They would still build the same number of units without an increase in the intensity.

Citizens voicing concerns, questions and comments included:

Gina King (did not sign in) - Has a concern with the existing traffic on Yankee Road.

Don Walker, 1752 Rockleigh Road - His home backs up to the wooded area. He was told when be built that no homes would be built in the wooded area. Concerned with traffic on Yankee Road.

John Puslat, 12943 Newburg Court - Concerned with what could be developed under the current zoning. Concerned with the Settlers Walk traffic coming through this development to get to Yankee Road. He also questioned the types of building materials that will be used.

Barry Bunn, 1720 Rockleigh Road - He is not in favor of the connection to Springboro. Asked about the time frame of this development.

Gary Gibson, 1600 Ramah Court - Concerned with the children in Yankee Terrace going into this development.

Amy Fish, 1578 Waterbury Woods - Does not really have a problem wit the project. She is concerned with the lack of detail for the southern portion.

Sue Love, 10605 Falls Creek Lane - Likes what they are proposing but would like to see less density.

Skip Schafer, 1008 Whispering Pines - Feels it is a positive for the community and provides something we don't have. He is in favor of the additional access to Austin Pike.

Rick Pierce, 10651 Chestnut Hill - Questioned if the age restricted housing is within their capabilities.
Mrs. Zobrist - Asked the developer to explain what ADA features are provided.
Mr. Hyman - The homes have wider doorways, no steps, higher or lower counter tops, paddle toggle light switches, etc.

Mr. Drain - Asked about the development of the southern portion of this rezoning request.

Mr. Gunlock - Discussed the Create the Vision plan.

Public hearing closed.

Commission remarks, concerns and comments included:

Mr. Rogers - Likes the project and feels it is better than the current I-1 zoning. He is concerned with the 3.08 units per acre density.

Mrs. Winwood - Likes the project and the fact that it won't put a burden on the schools. Does have a problem with the noise from the airport and the chemical problem in the I-1 district.

Mrs. Zobrist - Also likes the project and feels it fills a void in our housing market. She is concerned with the density. She would also like to see the additional access points shown on a plan.

MOTION - Mr. Rogers moved in Case Z-663 to table applicant's request for a change in zoning from the current Industrial 1 (I-1) to Planned Development Transition (PD-T) and for first stage approval for a residential development containing 265 units on approximately 86 acres to allow applicant to address the concerns brought up at tonight's meeting.

Motion seconded by Mr. Drain.

VOTE - Mr. Rogers, yes; Mr. Drain, yes; Mrs. Winwood, yes; Mrs. Zobrist, yes.

Case Z-663 tabled.

In other business:

Mrs. Zobrist indicated that she would be out of town February 12, 2005 through February 19, 2005 and would not be available for the next Zoning Commission Meeting.

Mrs. Winwood also indicated she would be unavailable February 20, 2005 through sometime in early March, 2005.

MOTION - Mr. Rogers moved to nominate Mr. Drain as Chairman of the Zoning Commission.

Motion seconded by Mrs. Zobrist.

VOTE - Mr. Rogers, yes; Mr. Drain, yes; Mrs. Winwood, yes; Mrs. Zobrist, yes.

MOTION - Mrs. Zobrist moved to nominate Mr. Rogers as Vice Chairman of the Zoning Commission.

Motion seconded by Mrs. Winwood.

VOTE - Mr. Rogers, yes; Mr. Drain, yes; Mrs. Winwood, yes; Mrs. Zobrist, yes.

All of the Zoning Commission members agreed to two-year terms beginning in January for Chairman and Vice Chairman.

Meeting adjourned. A tape recording of this proceeding is on file in the Zoning Office.

________________________________
Harry Drain, Chairman
Washington Township Zoning Commission

ZC\Minutes\January 18, 2005