Indianapolis-based TWG Development LLC is seeking to rezone a nearly three-acre property at 130 N. Burnett Road, the former Schaefer Junior High School that was demolished by its owner, the Springfield City School District, in 2005.
The City Planning Board originally heard the application on Nov. 13, but residents who attended the meeting were upset because they weren’t notified of the meeting. The city notifies people who live within 200 feet of a proposed site, but some argued they should have been notified of the proposed plan.
The board will now hear the application at 7 p.m. Dec. 11 at the City Hall forum, 76 E. High St. The plan must also be approved by the Springfield City Commission. It will also send notifications to residents who live within 400 feet of the proposed site, Planning, Zoning and Code Administrator Steve Thompson said.
Springfield city staff has recommended approval of the rezoning, according to public documents. The developer will have to apply for a conditional use permit if the rezoning is approved because it’s planned to be a three-story building, Thompson said.
Several residents were upset with the proposal, believing low-income housing would affect the neighborhood, including traffic, Thompson said.
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The application says the proposal will not be section 8 housing, according to public documents.
Economic growth and new jobs have created a demand for housing in Springfield, the application said. The Ohio Housing Needs Assessment also shows the Clark County market is under-served for families, developers said.
“A lot of people have different perceptions in their mind about what affordable housing is, but if you look at our projects that we’ve done, you can see that we build quality, affordable housing which is needed in the Springfield community,” said applicant Chad Nykiel, development director for TWG Development. “There’s definitely a different perception from what a few of the neighbors came in and commented with. We’re hoping that through some additional information that I can illustrate that better.”
The developer wants to rezone the site to a residential district. If the rezoning is successful, the developer plans to seek state housing credits from the Ohio Housing Finance Agency to fund the construction next year. If approved, construction will begin in 2019 with an expected completion date in April of 2020.
The district is selling half of the former property that has sat vacant since 2005 for $200,000, meaning a portion of the current green space will buffer the proposed apartment complex and the current Schaefer Middle School, district officials said.
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The three-story building will include 60 units with open floor plans, walk-in closets, in-unit washers and dryers, a fitness room and a community room, according to the application. The plan calls for 15 one-bedroom apartments with about 750 square feet as well as 39 two-bedroom units with an average of 950 square feet and six three-bedroom units with about 1,300 square feet.
The rent will be based on annual salaries between about $13,000 and $36,000.
Neighborhood Housing Partnership is also developing a $9 million senior living facility nearby at the former Community Hospital site.
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BY THE NUMBERS
$11 million: Amount being spent on the proposed apartment complex
60: Units in the proposed three-story apartment building
12: Years the Schaefer Junior High property has sat vacant
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