Developer previews plan for 101 fee‑simple units at 8245 Deepwood Blvd.; city staff flags emergency access and referendum risk

An informal rezoning discussion Monday brought a developer and city staff before the Mentor Planning Commission to review a proposal to rezone roughly 12.7 acres at 8245 Deepwood Boulevard from R‑4 to R‑10 and to build about 101 fee‑simple residential units.

David Novak, of Barrington Consulting Group, told the commission the project would be "fee simple" ownership and estimated "approximately a hundred and 1 units." He said most buildings would contain up to four attached units and that each unit would have a two‑car garage plus two additional spaces in front.

Kathy, planning department staff, told the commission the informal discussion is "just the first step in a 3 step process for any rezone," and that no vote is taken at this meeting. She explained the procedure: a formal rezoning application with a public hearing before the planning commission, followed by a council public hearing and vote. She added that "The multifamily zoning classification is subject to, voter referendum, by charter."

Kathy also referenced a city study, saying the administration views the proposal as meeting needs identified in Mentor's housing study: "The existing multifamily homes that are currently within the city are affordable, but ... the majority of the housing stock is very dated ... So this ... fills a need." The administration indicated general support in concept.

Multiple commissioners and a representative of the neighboring Deepwood Condos pressed the developer on emergency access. Jim Sarosy, a Deepwood resident, pointed to staff materials that at one place "highly recommend" an emergency connection and at another place said "secondary ingress and egress ... will be required," and asked whether a second access was mandatory. Kathy replied that city fire and police services "would like to see" a second, emergency‑only access and that, from the administration standpoint, "yes" it would be required for this development.

Novak said the developer is willing to discuss different street layouts to address access and that the plan could be revised after consultation with the fire department. Commissioners discussed the possibility of apartment buildings versus the proposed attached fee‑simple units; Novak said the applicant has not studied taller apartment buildings but acknowledged the R‑10 allowance of up to 10 units per acre gives flexibility.

No formal motion or vote was taken; the item will proceed if and when the applicant files a formal rezoning application and development plan and follows the city's public‑hearing and council review process.