Commission recommends Miller Farms Subarea B final plan to council amid debate over fenced patios

On Nov. 10 the Canal Winchester Planning and Zoning Commission recommended FTP25-009 to city council, a final development plan for Subarea B of the Miller Farms community covering 41.7 acres and up to 221 apartment dwelling units.

Staff said the application met the preliminary development plan’s density limits and most development-text standards but recommended seven conditions before occupancy: extend a public water main to the south side of Lyle Ditch to locate the public/private water split within Subarea B; complete the widening of Oregon Road from Lithopolis Road to the proposed emergency access prior to occupancy; remove or modify proposed fully enclosed vinyl backyard fencing to conform with preliminary-development commitments and limit visibility from public rights-of-way; record public-access easements on open-space paths; dedicate additional right-of-way for Oregon, Hayes and Lithopolis roads; record easements for multi-use paths; and cooperate with the establishment of the TIF and community authority per ordinance 24-034.

The applicant said the enclosed vinyl patios are an amenity requested by residents to provide privacy for about 13% of units and confirmed maintenance would be provided by the owner. Staff raised concerns that fully enclosed fenced yards in a rental community with common maintenance depart from the preliminary development text and could create uncontrolled private spaces. Several commissioners asked for clearer text marking deviations from the approved preliminary development plan and discussed whether the fence condition could be clarified before the item goes to city council. The commission voted to recommend FTP25-009 to city council with the seven staff recommendations; city council will consider the ordinance and final adoption at a later meeting.