News
A developer drops its plans for a new low-income housing complex in Athens
By: Jack Greene
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — A Columbus-based developer has pulled its request to rezone an unused lot on the Athens southside.
Spire Development wanted to rezone the lot along Pomeroy Road from R-1 to R-3. This would allow the developer to build a new 50-unit affordable housing complex on the site.
The plot of land Spire was looking to build on was eligible for the low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC). The program awards developers federal tax credits to offset construction costs in exchange for agreeing to reserve some rental units for lower-income households.
Some residents in the area strongly opposed the proposal, saying the complex would worsen existing traffic and flooding issues along Pomeroy Road and Richland Avenue.
In a letter obtained by WOUB, Spire said “confusion and misinformation” about the LIHTC program as well as the resident input led to the decision.
“When neighbors and community stakeholders are fed misinformation about Spire and our industry, we take it very seriously,” the company said.
Spire said it would like to go over its reasoning with city leaders and help clarify “several false assumptions” related to the project, the company and LIHTC.
Aaron Leatherwood, a member of a community group formed in response to the rezoning proposal, presented to the Athens City Council a petition against the ordinance signed by over 375 people.
Leatherwood said having conversations and input from residents is vital when considering legislation like this.
“I would not characterize our opposition to these issues as hostile,” he said. “I would characterize this as democracy. It is foundational to the nature of democracy that you have citizen input.”
Jerry Miller is another member of the community group. He said one thing people got out of this experience was a sense of community in their neighborhood.
“This is kind of the beginning for us. The houses on the southside are a little further apart,” he said. “I got to know neighbors who I would have never have really gotten to know personally because of this.”
Councilmember Jeff Risner was the only member who voted against the move. He said the ordinance should be voted down, not tabled.
“We are just kicking the issue down the road,” he said. “I’d rather it be an up or down and settle it right now.”
Councilmember Solveig Spjeldnes said tabling the ordinance would allow the council to revisit the issue if a developer wants to use the location in the future.
“I’d rather not make a decision now,” she said. “I think we ought to wait and see what comes of it. Is some other entity going to come and buy this and do something else with it? There are so many possibilities.”
Spire did not say in its letter whether it would consider a new project at the site along Pomeroy Road. The company said it is focusing on breaking ground at Blackburn Landing, another Spire site in the city.
Miller said he and the community group look to continue connecting with residents and having open dialogue.
“We are going to continue this and see where we can improve our own communication to the legislative body,” he said. “We care about our neighborhood extensively and I think by this particular effort to come together as a community we can help each other out.”