Norton Planning Commission recommends approval of 20-home subdivision, forwards final plat to council

The City of Norton Planning Commission voted 4-0 to recommend approval of a final plat for a roughly 13-acre subdivision proposing 20 homes and forwarded the application to the Norton City Council for its three readings, commission members said (meeting date not specified).

The proposal, filed as application SPR-5-20-23, would develop the site in an R-PC (Plan Cluster) district and keep green and open space as a priority, the commission was told. Keenan Hahn, president of Hahn Homes, said utilities are installed, retention ponds are in place and the road has been rough-graded. "We're hoping as soon as the weather allows that we're going to pave the road," Hahn said. "If it's a good spring, it might be May. It's normal Ohio. It's probably gonna be June or July, more more likely, by the time it dries out enough."

Hahn said the developer will dedicate the road, expected to be named Willow Way, to the city. "The city of Norton would be maintaining and plowing that, and then the professional company that the HOA hires would be doing the driveways and sidewalks," he said. Hahn also described the planned homeowners association services and product mix: the HOA would provide snow removal, lawn care and other maintenance for both private yards and open space; lots are expected to sell in the "sixties to the nineties" (thousands), and house prices would likely range from the low $400,000s to the low-to-mid $500,000s. He said house plans will include a minimum size of about 1,800 square feet with several standard models and the option for custom homes.

City staff and commissioners told residents that final engineering plans, including the stormwater management plan, are under review by the city engineer and that the city's street acceptance typically requires near-complete construction and a punch list before the service department accepts and maintains new streets. A staff member said streets are accepted after roughly 98% completion and a final top layer of asphalt is one of the acceptance checkpoints.

Neighbors at the meeting urged the commission to consider drainage, grading and traffic impacts. "I'm one of those neighbors that have one of those basins right in my backyard," said Richard Fasic of 2938 Brookfield Drive, expressing concern about water runoff and the project tying Synwood through to existing development and increasing shortcut traffic through the neighborhood. Dennis Delaney of 3714 Synwood Drive asked whether a traffic study or stop signs would be considered; a staff member and commissioners said the number of new homes (20) likely does not trigger a mandated traffic study, though enforcement and monitoring by the police department could be pursued later.

At least one resident urged more proactive safety measures. "Don't let— let's not be fooled by only having 20 homes to say that doesn't justify a study," said Gary Cuddy of 3690 Simway Drive, who described losing a child in a traffic crash elsewhere and urged the commission and city to prioritize safety measures such as stop signs or other traffic calming.

Several residents also raised detailed drainage questions, saying portions of the site still showed exposed earth and machinery had altered a natural flow; Hahn and staff said grading and final site stabilization remain in progress and are part of the engineer's review. Hahn said the retention ponds "were put in, and are functioning," though noted they remain muddy until final grading and stabilization are complete.

The commission approved the application on a motion and second (mover and seconder not identified in the record) and recorded the roll-call votes as yes from Mrs. Witzberger, Mr. Leita, Mr. Dowling and Mr. Peterson; the commission chair said the 4-0 recommendation will be forwarded to Norton City Council by the end of the week. Commissioners also approved the March 25 meeting minutes 4-0 during the same meeting.

The commission emphasized that its approval is a recommendation and that Norton City Council will consider the final plat, with a public hearing to be held during the council's second meeting when council takes the item up. Residents were told they may bring their concerns to that council hearing or otherwise contact the administration and police to request monitoring or traffic-calming measures.

Votes at a glance: The Planning Commission recommended approval of application SPR-5-20-23 (final plat for a 13-acre, 20-home subdivision) by a 4-0 roll-call vote and approved the March 25 meeting minutes by a 4-0 vote. Both items will be forwarded to Norton City Council for final consideration.