Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Development Miller Farms topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Canal Winchester council approves Miller Farms final plan with required evergreen screening
Summary
The council approved the final development plan for Miller Farms subarea B and added a condition requiring an evergreen hedge (natural screening) at the Edgewater building after debate over fencing, plant durability and hardscape alternatives.
Council voted to approve the final development plan for subarea B of the Miller Farms planned unit development on Dec. 15, adding a condition that the developer install a natural evergreen screen at the Edgewater building.
Andrew Bounger of Wilcox Communities presented three screening options for the Edgewater units — a 4‑foot TimberTech fence, an arborvitae landscaping screen, or a combination of low fencing with plantings — and explained cost and maintenance tradeoffs. Bounger said Wilcox maintains an annual landscaping crew and that “if something were to die just like any of our other trees or landscaping, we would replace it immediately.”
Council debate focused on durability, appearance and cost. Councilmember Patrick Shea said he preferred more permanent hardscaping and brick features, while several colleagues favored a natural screen to preserve green space. After discussion, Councilmember Moore moved to amend resolution 25‑057 to require an evergreen hedge as set forth in the developer’s Option 2; the amendment passed and the resolution was adopted.
The development director clarified that the legislation before council addressed fencing only and that adding shrubs for screening could be done without amending the development plan, but the adopted amendment makes the natural screening a condition of approval. Council and the developer agreed the species and exact planting plan would be determined in consultation among city staff, the developer and council representatives, using a hardy evergreen that fits the site.
The measure passed with a roll call showing most members in favor and one recorded dissent. The council directed staff to reflect the evergreen screening as a condition in the approval documents and to follow up on the planting/species details with the developer.
The council will consider the finalized documents at full council; the work session action moved the item out of postponement and set the required screening as a condition of adoption.
