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Plain City council approves preliminary plan for Noah Beachy Farms subdivision
Summary
Council approved PUD-25-1, a preliminary development plan for the roughly 89-acre Noah Beachy Farms (Fischer Homes) at SR-161 and Cemetery Pike, which calls for about 30% open space, walking trails and community amenities; the developer and village will coordinate Heritage Trail routing and buffering near adjacent industrial uses.
Plain City council approved a preliminary development plan for Noah Beachy Farms, a proposed Fischer Homes subdivision at SR-161 and Cemetery Pike, during a special meeting on April 2, 2025. The plan covers approximately 89 acres and has been split into two annexation phases, the first of which is complete and the second of which is pending.
Derek Hutchinson, the Village planner, introduced the item and said the presentation focuses on the preliminary development plan and related variances. Hillary Lafin, a representative of Grand Communities (the developer team working with Fischer Homes), described three traditional single-family product types, the relocation of the Masterpiece Collection within the project, and community amenities that include a 5-foot community path, walking trails, a covered picnic shelter, playground and open field recreation areas. Lafin said the PDP sets aside roughly 30% open space; Plain City’s minimum open-space requirement is 25%.
Lafin and Hutchinson said the developer and Village staff are coordinating an extension of the Heritage Trail through the project. They described two primary routing options: routing the trail through the plan’s open-space area and the existing Buckeye Pipeline easement to the south, or creating a wider sidewalk within the subdivision to connect to the Heritage Trail. Hutchinson said an easement arrangement has been used in other developments to allow the municipality to own and maintain a public trail.
Council members asked about buffering between homes and a nearby concrete plant, and about traffic mitigation. President M. Terry encouraged mixing housing product types throughout the project rather than zoning by product type. Councilmember T. Harriman said he preferred substantial buffering between residences and the concrete plant; Lafin said buffers could include plantings, earthen mounding or fencing. Lafin also said a traffic study is underway and that any recommendations for turn lanes on SR-161 would be followed.
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of three requested code variances that accompany the PDP. Mr. Lewis moved to approve PUD-25-1; Mr. Sintz seconded and the motion passed with all members voting in favor.
Next steps: the developer will continue coordination with staff on trail routing, finalize buffer treatments and submit a Final Development Plan that reflects the PDP details and any required variances or conditions.
