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Residents press council on Canal Road rezoning and PRD lot sizes; developer defends plan
Summary
At the July 10 meeting, residents asked Council to pause rezoning until Planned Residential District (PRD) requirements and lot‑size implications are clarified. A Pulte representative said market demand and a proposed 48% open space meet code standards.
Public comment at the July 10 Hebron Council meeting focused on a proposed rezoning and questions about Planned Residential District (PRD) standards and lot sizes.
Todd Messenger, a resident of 951 W. Main St., said he was unfamiliar with the three‑reading process for legislation and urged Council to understand PRD requirements before proceeding: "I am unfamiliar about the three readings process for legislation," he said, and asked Council to consider pausing until more details are available. Attorney Jarod Rose replied that the ordinance under consideration would rezone property and that Council typically votes on ordinances at the third reading: "The ordinance takes effect after the vote," he said, and emphasized that the current measure was to change zoning, not to authorize construction.
Tom Hart, speaking on behalf of Pulte Homes, said the PRD being discussed complies with Hebron zoning (citing code 1141.04 allowing lot size variation) and described features the developer proposes: 48% open space with buffers, a flood relief channel that would be conveyed to the village, walking trails, a playground and common areas maintained by a homeowners association. "People do not want to spend family time mowing anymore," Hart said, defending smaller lots and common open space as market preferences.
Council members and staff acknowledged the concerns and said they would continue to evaluate details. Administrator Jung‑Han Chen and Economic & Community Development Director Brittany Misner noted the village is coordinating with Licking County Framework and MORPC on how the Comprehensive Plan aligns with proposed projects and that some rezoning items remain at early stages (one Canal Road rezoning was introduced as a first reading during the meeting).
The minutes record requests from residents for clearer information about what PRD designation requires and what portions of open space are buildable; Attorney Rose offered to provide additional details from village records and the applicant. The matter will return to Council for further review at later meetings.
