Sunbury council approves emergency ordinance for Romani Shrock/D.R. Horton development; developer seeks rapid start

The Sunbury City Council on June 28 approved Ordinance 2025.21, a development agreement between Romani Shrock or Investments LLC and Doctor Horton, declaring an emergency so the developer can meet its financing and construction schedule.

Developer Dave Dozer, representing Doctor Horton at the meeting, told council: "We would love to have payment done by Thanksgiving and start building December. This is the last item we need to close." He described major site work that must be completed during the prime construction season, including storm and sanitary infrastructure work and an upgrade to the Cheshire Road lift station.

Council moved to suspend rules and to declare the ordinance an emergency before voting on final passage. The motions to suspend and to declare emergency carried; the roll calls in the transcript record five yes votes for the emergency declaration and five yeas on final passage, with one recorded abstention during the final vote. The council's action clears the development agreement to proceed toward the developer's planned schedule.

The development agreement also includes provisions for the developer to fund an upgrade to the Cheshire Road lift station and to extend the Little Walnut Creek interceptor through the property for later connection, items Dozer said are part of completing the utility infrastructure for the project.

Council did not record additional conditions or amendments to the agreement in the meeting record. No new public financing or tax-increment details for the project were presented at the June 28 session.