Planning commission approves Central Park preliminary plat with variances, contingent on DRT sign-off

The Berea Planning and Zoning Commission approved the Central Park preliminary plat Tuesday, granting variances for a reduced Lot 1 building-line width and for rolled curb and gutter, and conditioned final authorization on technical corrections from the Development Review Team.

Dwayne Wheatley of Abacus Engineering, representing the applicant, described revisions including a new connection to Brooklyn Boulevard and an adjustment to lot layouts. "We've went ahead and made that connection and lined it up the best that we could to make the best use of the lots and use of the land," Wheatley said in presenting the plat. He asked the commission for a variance to reduce the required 80-foot building-line lot width to 70.42 feet for Lot 1 and for a waiver allowing rolled curb and gutter.

Amanda, planning staff, told commissioners that a handful of technical corrections remain and that the Development Review Team meeting scheduled for July 18 will review those items. She recommended contingent approval: signatures would not be authorized until required corrections are made. "We would recommend an approval of the preliminary plat contingent upon DRT approval," Amanda said.

Commission discussion noted benefits from the redesign: elimination of a nearly one-acre detention area, better use of existing stormwater facilities and an increase of approximately four lots compared with the prior submission. One commissioner said the revised plat "most closely aligns with the single family houses" already in Central Park and expressed optimism about the outcome.

A motion to approve the preliminary plat by Central Park Berea LLC, contingent on DRT approval and including variances for Lot 1 building-line width (70.42 feet) and rolled curb-and-gutter, was moved and seconded. The motion passed on a roll-call vote. Chair and commissioners congratulated the applicants and noted they hoped work could begin after DRT corrections so some road construction could occur before winter.

Next steps: staff will compile DRT corrections and withhold final signatures until those technical items are addressed; the applicant expects to proceed with site work after satisfying those requirements.