Proposed condos amplify traffic concerns

Brent Haworth considers it a safety problem when he crosses Backmeyer Road to retrieve his mail. 

Drivers zoom along the narrow, hilly road at excessive speed, he said, and Haworth certainly doesn’t want more traffic on the heavily traveled road because of a proposed 78-unit condominium development.

During the May 27 Richmond Advisory Plan Commission meeting, Haworth was one of three Backmeyer Road residents expressing opposition to a request that would rezone 19.25 acres owned by Church at the Meadows from institutional to multifamily residential. 

Traffic was a major concern for the residents and some commission members; however, the commission voted 7-1 to recommend that Richmond Common Council approve the rezoning. Michael Devine dissented, saying he was uncomfortable that the Cincinnati-based developer, Lauck Properties, has no experience with projects similar to the proposed nine quadplexes and 21 duplexes.

The Meadows’ preliminary plans presented by Gordon Moore of Beals-Moore & Associates for Lauck includes street access from Backmeyer as well as from Rose Hill Lane in the unfinished Arbors planned unit development that includes seven quadplexes. Moore also said Lauck wants to have a conversation with the property owner to the east about accessing the development from South 37th Street.

Commission member Gary Turner, who is also a Common Council member, said that if Lauck wants council to approve the rezoning, it should forget the Backmeyer access and concentrate on Rose Hill and South 37th. The ordinance was on council’s June 1 agenda.

“I would come to council with that kind of information in your back pocket,” Turner said.

Zoning approval would be a first step, enabling Lauck to purchase the land. Lauck would need to return to plan commission for primary and secondary plat approval after finalizing the development’s design and would need required city permits, plus drainage approval from the county’s drainage board. 

Gil Richards, vice president of finance and development for Lauck, said he began learning about Richmond two years ago, then saw that the church wanted to sell part of its property neighboring Walmart.

“I really started to believe in Richmond,” Richards said. “What you all have done here, especially since 2019, is textbook city planning done right.”

Richards said traffic was an obvious issue, and Lauck plans a traffic study before filing a plat application. Lauck has also committed to relocate the church’s playground and provide new playground equipment.

Brett Karanovich, pastor for Church at the Meadows, and Jason Barrett, the Richmond branch manager for Perfect Circle Credit Union, said the condominiums would provide needed housing options. Young people need places to grow and flourish, Karanovich said.

Haworth said multifamily condominium buildings don’t fit with the single-family homes along Backmeyer. Jason Fleenor agreed the condominiums are the wrong type of development and added they would permanently alter the area’s character by removing the meadow where deer and foxes live. Brent Swinney, who years ago opposed ballfields on the parcel in question, said the area’s traffic and flooding issues are terrible as it is, but he loves his home and wants to remain there.

“I don’t think I will if they build something like that in my backyard,” Swinney said.

Shannon Hayes, the city’s planning director, recommended approving the rezoning. She said multi-family zoning is appropriate for the parcel’s location and the development fits within the city’s comprehensive plan update.

Lauck has published more information about the project at themeadowsatrichmond.com.

Uranus Fudge Factory

Commission members unanimously voted to recommend approval for rezoning 14.5 acres north of Uranus Fudge Factory and General Store from institutional to general commercial.

Council had the ordinance on its June 1 agenda.

Louie Keen, owner of Uranus, said he is trying to build a destination for family fun. Current plans include a fueling station, mini golf, a Taco Uranus restaurant and Americana museum.

“We’re just trying to build something fun,” Keen said.

The Revive I-70 construction project at the U.S. 40 and Interstate 70 interchange has slowed Keen’s progress. The land, which was part of New Creations church and school until 2016, is bordered by Uranus to the south, the Ohio border to the east and a solar field to the west.

Plat committee

Angela Ebacher was unanimously appointed to serve on the city’s plat committee.

Ebacher replaced Laura Miller, who retired, as the county’s planning administrator and on the plat committee.