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Planning commission approves Blackburn Landing Title 41 application with conditions for shared path, lift-station review and shade-tree input
Summary
Spire Development's Blackburn Landing, a 50-unit multifamily affordable project already awarded 9% tax credits, was accepted by the Athens Planning Commission on April 2 under conditions requiring a shared-use-path design, Shade Tree Commission review and confirmation (or upgrades) of lift-station capacity.
The Athens City Planning Commission on April 2 accepted a Title 41 application for Blackburn Landing, a 50-unit affordable multifamily development proposed by Spire Development, subject to three conditions: completion of a shared-use-path design to improve pedestrian connections to Richland, review and any required comments from the Shade Tree Commission, and verification that the local lift station has capacity or will be upgraded to handle the project's sewage.
Sean McMickle of Spire Development told the commission the project is a 50-unit mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and that the site is currently zoned R-3 and compliant with the proposed use. McMickle said the project was financed with competitive 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and that Spire received a positive funding result in May 2024 for this development. He said the site is an independent project and does not require a second phase to proceed.
On infrastructure, McMickle acknowledged the sewer and pedestrian concerns and said the developer would help design a shared-use path connecting the site to existing pedestrian infrastructure on Richland. He also said his engineer is evaluating whether the 50 West lift station can accept the additional flow and that, if necessary, Spire would help upgrade pumps or other components rather than replace the entire station.
Traffic and public concerns Staff and the developer cited Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) guidance when discussing traffic; Spire said a 50-unit development would generate about 25 peak-hour trips and therefore falls below the thresholds that require a formal traffic impact study under current ODOT guidelines. Neighbors and property managers raised concerns about vehicular circulation and the project's use of a cross-access route that runs through River Annex Apartments' parking area. River Annex community manager Angie Slay said her primary concern is additional traffic backing up through the parking lot and the safety of residents and children.
Easement and maintenance Spire and city staff said an ingress/egress and utility easement exists and that Spire's in-house counsel is working with River Annex ownership and counsel on a shared-maintenance agreement. Staff told the commission that the easement appears on the auditor's page for the project property but not on the neighboring property; the parties are working to clarify and document maintenance responsibility.
Regional safety review already underway Planning staff said the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is conducting a broader safety study of U.S. 50 in the Blackburn/Andover corridor after a past fatality, and that recommended safety improvements from that study could inform future work on pedestrian connections and intersection safety in the area.
Action taken A motion to accept the Title 41 application for 142 Albany Road (Blackburn Landing) with the three conditions (shared-use-path design, Shade Tree Commission comments, and lift station capacity confirmation/upgrade as needed) was moved and seconded and passed on a voice vote.
Ending The project will return for final engineering and site-plan review once the lift-station capacity is resolved, the shared-use-path design is advanced, and any Shade Tree Commission comments are addressed.
