Residents oppose Arbor Homes development plan in Hunters Path

The City of Clayton, Ohio, held a council meeting on April 17, 2025, where significant concerns regarding a proposed housing development were raised by local residents. The meeting focused on the potential expansion of Arbor Homes in the Hunters Path area, which has sparked considerable opposition from neighboring property owners.

The session began with residents expressing their discontent over the development plans. One adjacent property owner voiced strong objections, highlighting the potential loss of trees on their property and the long-term financial implications of a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) arrangement, which they argued would withhold funds from the community for decades.

Tanya Sites, a homeowner in Hunters Path, shared her frustrations regarding the development. She explained that when purchasing her home, she was assured that the street would not be extended, a promise that now appears to be broken. Sites emphasized that she paid a premium for her lot, expecting it to remain at the end of the street, and criticized Arbor Homes for their poor reputation, citing low ratings on platforms like Yelp and the Better Business Bureau.

Another resident, Sean Bridal, echoed these sentiments, expressing concerns about the charm and tranquility of the neighborhood being compromised. He noted that many homeowners in the area had made their purchases based on assurances of limited future development, which now seem to be in jeopardy. Bridal also raised issues regarding the strain on local services, including roads and emergency response, due to the proposed increase in housing density.

The meeting underscored the community's apprehension about the development and the perceived lack of transparency from Arbor Homes. Residents called for the city council to reconsider the approval of the project, urging them to prioritize the interests of current homeowners and the overall character of the neighborhood.

As the council deliberates on the proposed development, the concerns raised by residents highlight the ongoing tension between growth and community preservation in Clayton. The council's next steps will be crucial in addressing these issues and determining the future of the Hunters Path area.