Tom Ruby previews East 9 (Section 30) redesign in New Albany, proposes brick sidewalks and pond relocation

Tom Ruby, identifying himself as representing No Albany Company, presented an informal review of Section 30 (East 9) in New Albany, describing proposed changes to the subdivision’s lot layout, pedestrian infrastructure and pond configuration. The presentation was informational; staff told the board no formal approvals were on the agenda tonight.

Ruby said the area’s zoning and infrastructure were established previously and that the developer is proposing modifications to the lot layout that would increase the total number of lots from 36 to 40. He described three subareas within the project: estate lots (roughly 0.3–0.6 acres), a smaller clustered area referred to as 'Sessions Village' where some lots may be attached, and a typical country-club lot product. Ruby said homes will generally be custom-built rather than speculative models.

A prominent design change would replace a portion of an existing 8-foot-wide asphalt leisure path with a brick sidewalk; the tree lawn and pedestrian connection would remain and the brick walkway would meet code-required widths in constrained locations (Ruby referred to 4–5 foot code widths for some sections). Ruby said the existing asphalt leisure path north of the site will continue and that the brick sidewalk would connect to that path at the subdivision entrance. Board members asked whether narrowing that segment would affect bicycle use; Ruby replied that bicyclists typically use the road and that the change is intended to upgrade the pedestrian character: "Our goal... was to upgrade the quality and character of the neighborhood."

Ruby also described a small gatehouse that would initially function as a model-home/sales office and later be sold as a residence, and he emphasized that the roads will remain public even though gate features are planned. The developer said a cul-de-sac pocket green would be terraced and paved with granite or brick pavers and would "feel like a privatized park," while remaining publicly accessible at its ends.

On the site layout, Ruby said the central pond will be drained, regraded and moved roughly 40–50 feet west to allow deeper lots; that work requires relocating some private and public utilities and modifying the boardwalk and overlook to fit the new alignment. He cautioned that portions of one basin are under the jurisdiction of the Army Corps and "the O EPA" (as stated in the presentation), which constrains what work can be done there. Ruby said wetland plantings and additional trees are planned around the pond perimeter and that a small pier, trellis, bench and gaslight are proposed for the boardwalk edge.

Ruby estimated the neighborhood improvement plan is "north of $7,000,000" in infrastructure costs. He said entitlement work will proceed through the planning commission and other boards, that site work could begin over the coming winter, and that an optimistic target for releasing lots would be November 2025 but that the timing is uncertain and depends on remaining design and entitlement decisions. Staff and board members noted the item will return to the planning commission (staff referenced a planning commission date of November 18).

Ruby and staff answered multiple board questions about ADA compliance, bike connectivity and how the brick sidewalks would transition back to the existing leisure path. On ADA issues Ruby said ramp locations, slopes and final widths will be designed to meet ADA requirements and that existing crosswalks are ADA-accessible. The developer said certain streets will remain asphalt while one minor street may be brick.

The board did not take any formal action on the project; staff and the developer said the item will return for future hearings and entitlements.