COLUMBIANA — A property developer is wondering what will happen with the Columbiana School District when it comes to the city’s Community Reinvestment Area (CRA).
Rob Struharik of APL Properties went before the city’s planning commission last month to discuss his plans for new housing in the city.
However, he is concerned about the school district’s stance on the CRA, which offers property tax abatements for new home and commercial construction projects.
The school district’s approval is necessary for commercial and industrial CRA tax abatement requests of more than 50 percent.
Struharik has sought CRA agreements for many of APL’s housing projects.
Meanwhile, school officials recently went before council seeking a change to the CRA process, stating that the property tax abatements offered through the program are creating a financial burden on the district.
As a result, the school district has said that if some sort of agreement isn’t reached it may not give its approval for commercial and industrial CRA requests.
The school district is expected to appear before council again on Dec. 5.
Struharik told the planning commission during its Nov. 14 meeting that he has not decided yet on the type of housing that will be available through APL Properties on Eureka Road, since it will depend on what happens between the school and the city with regards to the CRA discussion.
“We would like to stay within CRA guidelines if at all possible if we can get approval. Just in today’s environment I don’t know if that is going to transpire,” he said.
Struharik requested approval from the commission for a site plan review for new housing on Eureka Road.
The property to be developed is roughly 11 acres and is currently in an R1 PUD area.
Struharik also said he is seeking final approval of the infrastructure for the property, including storm sewer, sanitary sewer and roads.
Struharik mentioned the possibility of pursuing the project in a way that would result in it being treated as residential instead of commercial through the CRA so as not to require school board approval.
“Any type of housing is permitted under R1 PUD. It’s contingent upon the market, contingent upon CRA approval, school board approval, or lack of,” he said.
Struharik also requested site plan approval for new housing at Firestone Farms.
Struharik said the property will not be part of the existing Firestone Homeowner’s Association and that a new association may be created down the road if necessary.
He said the development may contain multi-family homes.
The planning commission approved his requests.
Also approved during the meeting were:
— A site plan review for Greg Snyder for an Airbnb at 101 and 103 N. Main St.
— A site plan review for Lisa Braden at 610 E. Park Ave. for food truck spots.
— A site plan review for Dave Sipp at 105 Nulf Dr. for additional storage units. The plan features five more units, which will be similar in scale to the existing units.
Credit: Source link
