News
Some Athens residents voiced their concerns over a proposed affordable housing project
By: Jack Greene
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Athens, OHIO (WOUB) – Athens residents voiced their opinions on a proposal to rezone an empty plot of land along Pomeroy Road.
The ordinance before City Council would change the open lot near the intersection of Pomeroy Road and Richland Avenue from R-1 to R-3. This would allow for multifamily homes to be built on the over 8-acre plot.
Columbus-based Spire Development is asking for the change so it can build a new affordable housing complex. The complex would consist of 50 units ranging from one to three bedrooms.
More than a dozen people shared their concerns or support for the project at a public hearing at the council’s meeting on Monday. The public hearing was organized by the LaMar Heights/Pomeroy Rd Community Task Force, a community group against the development.
Sharon Walker lives close to the empty plot. She said the section of road where the site is located is too dangerous and worries additional homes could make the problem worse.
“It is a low-visible area with high-speed cars, and they do frequently drive through my yard, about six times a year,” she said. “They do go through the fence. They do go into the vet clinic.”
Community members argued these additional homes would also increase the cost to city services, which would need to respond to additional calls because of the complex.
Eric Lucas, the owner of Carpet One Floor & More, said his business along Pomeroy Road constantly floods. He is worried about what this proposed development would do to flood waters.
He said the flooding is a big concern, “but it has been a concern before this.”
“We have been there almost 50 years, it’s our family’s livelihood,” he said. “I just ask you to put yourself in our place. … It is a horrible experience.”
Lucas said the basement of the house in his business’ parking lot flooded so bad “to where the guy’s refrigerator was floating.”
Aaron Leatherwood is one of the organizers of the LaMar Heights/Pomeroy Rd Community Task Force. He said in a presentation to the council the city needs to do its homework on Spire’s plans for the lot.
Rob Delach supports the proposed apartment complex. He said the issues people have could be resolved, but there needs to be investment in the area to kick-start the process.
“If there isn’t investment in a neighborhood, it just goes downhill. There is no steady state,” he said. “Doing nothing on this project means the status quo doesn’t change.”
Councilmembers will vote on the rezoning ordinance Feb. 18.
Between now and the 18th, Councilmember Alan Swank said the council should consider this project’s impacts on city services.
Swank also had an issue with the money from these new homes going to a developer not from Athens.
“Exorbitant profits are not the issue, it’s where those profits and that money is going,” he said. “It’s not staying here in Athens, and that’s a real concern for me.”
If this ordinance is approved, it does not mean Spire can begin developing the land. Approval for the project would have to come up as a separate ordinance after the plot is rezoned.
The council could then decide whether to approve the project.