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Residents raise safety concerns as Xenia council introduces major change to Timber Ridge PUD
Summary
Council introduced a major change to the Timber Ridge PUD that would allow 88 lots on roughly 34.48 acres; residents near Ridge Road urged council to preserve the existing cul‑de‑sac, limit connections and study traffic and pedestrian safety. The public hearing is set for Dec. 11 at 6 p.m.
Xenia City Council on Nov. 25 introduced an ordinance seeking a major change to the Timber Ridge planned unit development that would increase the number of single‑family lots allowed in the remaining undeveloped area from the historic allocation to 88 lots on about 34.48 acres.
City planning staff said the proposal from Arbor Homes preserves the original land‑use designations but increases residential density, sets aside 30% of the site as private open space, and includes sidewalks, a trail/play area and enhanced architectural standards. Staff said the developer agreed to additional requirements at final plan stage including traffic and speed studies for US‑68, evaluation of a pedestrian/bicycle crossing to the Little Miami Scenic Trail and tree preservation buffers between new and existing lots. Planning & Zoning recommended approval after a public hearing on Nov. 12.
Neighbors who spoke during audience comments urged caution. Penny Stewart, who lives on Ridge Road, said the area currently has no sidewalks or street lights and described a “blind spot” at the Ridgeway/US‑68 intersection. “They want to put 88 homes on there… I don’t believe reasonable,” Stewart said, asking council to preserve the character and tree buffers adjacent to existing homes. Robert Stewart, another Ridge Road resident, asked the council to avoid connecting the new development to the existing cul‑de‑sac or to make the court permanent to limit cut‑through traffic.
Staff and council members said some connection is required by fire code (more than 30 lots requires a second access) and by zoning (dead‑end length limits). City staff said Ridge Road currently exceeds the maximum dead‑end length and that a second entrance on US‑68 is proposed; they also noted the majority of new residents would likely use the new entrance rather than pass through the established neighborhood. Council members encouraged nearby residents to attend the Dec. 11 public hearing at 6 p.m. for full consideration of public testimony before a final decision.
Next steps: the ordinance was introduced for the Dec. 11 public hearing; staff will bring required traffic and speed‑limit studies and any recommended mitigations for council review.
