The first 39-lot phase of the Heritage Pointe development in Middlefield Village received approval from the village planning and zoning commission on July 8.
The first 39-lot phase of the Heritage Pointe development in Middlefield Village received approval from the village planning and zoning commission on July 8.
Just two days later, on July 10, the entire site plan for the 209-lot planned unit development (PUD) also gained approval—first from the commission, then from Middlefield Village Council.
The project has moved quickly since developer Joe Svete first presented preliminary plans to the commission in January. Since that time, the village annexed a 64.7-acre parcel south of the Walmart Superstore at 15050 Harrington Way. The annexation was carried out in agreement with Middlefield Township and was followed by rezoning the land as a residential PUD, which allows for smaller lots and homes built closer together.
The annexed parcel connects to a 14-acre property at 15136 Lake Avenue—already within village limits—that provides access to the new development. Both parcels are owned by Lake Avenue Partners LLC. Svete said he hopes to break ground before the end of summer.
In response to concerns from Lake Avenue residents, Svete adjusted the site plan to include a pond at the entrance to Heritage Pointe in place of a house.
The original plans included access to the development from Lake Avenue with seven R-PUD lots along the road.
At a public hearing in June, Lake Avenue resident Linda Smallwood spoke on behalf of her neighbors, saying they were opposed to having small-lot homes fronting Lake Avenue. She said they believed it would negatively impact the character of the neighborhood.
Last week, Svete said the lot directly across from the planned pond will not be developed for at least 18 months without the village’s permission. That delay will allow time to install landscaping that will act as a buffer along Lake Avenue.
“The entrance way will be very, very beautiful. It will be something all of us can be proud of. It’s all about appearance. Good-looking subdivisions sell quicker,” Svete said, assuring council he will hire a landscape architect to design the entrance to Heritage Pointe. “It’s not going to be me.”
Once engineering work for Phase 1 is complete, Svete said he will begin looking for a contractor to start construction.
Village Zoning Inspector John Boksansky noted the development still needs final approval from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
Impact fees of about $10,000 per home will be shared between the developer and the village, Svete said. He added that homes in Heritage Pointe are expected to be priced at around $399,000.
According to the Building Industry Association of Ohio, “Impact fees are charged to offset the cost of expanding public infrastructure to accommodate new housing development. This includes facilities like water and wastewater systems, roads, schools and parks. Impact fees are generally calculated based on the size of a new home or building.”
Mayor Ben Garlich said the village is considering creating a New Community Authority (NCA) through a state program to finance the impact fees. Under that model, new homeowners would repay the village through a semiannual assessment added to their property taxes.
A 2009 article from the global law firm Squire Patton Boggs explains that “An NCA is a separate public body governed by a board of trustees that may oversee, coordinate, construct and finance public infrastructure improvements and community facilities. Ohio Revised Code Chapter 349 provides the authority and procedures for forming and governing an NCA.”
