City officials to vote on housing plan

Apr. 21—HERMITAGE — Before city commissioners vote Wednesday on a zoning change that could allow a planned housing development to move forward, multiple residents voiced their concerns with the project.

During the Hermitage Board of Commissioners work session Thursday evening, officials held a public hearing regarding a requested rezoning of the property at 228 Trumpet Terrace.

The property includes about 13 acres south and adjacent to Hemlock Road and Androla Drive. The property's owner, Joseph Mazzant, plans to build about 20 units arranged as 10 duplexes.

To proceed with the project, Joseph requested the property be rezoned from Suburban Residential 1, or SR1, to Suburban Residential 2, or SR2.

Joseph's son Anthony Mazzant, who will serve as the project's general contractor, discussed the project at the February commissioners meeting.

Both Joseph and Anthony answered questions Thursday and responded to concerns raised by residents and the commissioners.

Multiple residents discussed existing issues in the area with storm water, and the potential that a housing development could worsen those water issues.

Joseph said the property already contains a lake that can hold about two million gallons of water.

Hermitage City Manager Gary Hinkson added that rezoning the property to SR2 would require the owner to handle any stormwater coming off the property.

Resident Carolyn Stevenson and her husband Hugh shared traffic concerns and said Androla Drive is already a narrow road.

Fellow resident Richard Titus also described similar issues with the road due to its width and potholes, and said that blacktopping and widening the street would "take half of my bedroom."

Hinkson said that, while the city would not take any of Titus' home, city officials could look at the conditions on Androla and any stormwater issues affecting the road.

Commissioner John Moroco asked if the property was for sale, amid concerns the property was still on the market, and Joseph responded that it was not.

The real estate sales website Zillow lists two lots, 101 Trumpet Terrace for $450,000 and 102 Trumpet Terrace for $350,000.

Joseph said he and his wife live on the property and about five acres will be reserved for his home once the development is underway, he said.

When Commissioner Louis Squatrito asked if any roads leading to the property development would be built to city standards, Hinkson responded that they would not, because the roads would be on private property.

Joseph added that he owns a housing development along Esther Road and already pays for stormwater, paving and plowing on private roads.

Hermitage Board President Duane Piccirilli asked if the housing developers planned any buffer space.

Joseph said he planned for any residents who signed a petition against the project to meet with the developer and pick the trees they would prefer to be planted for the buffer.

When Piccirilli then asked what kind of turnover Joseph's properties usually had, Joseph responded that many of his residents were seniors and often lived in his houses until they moved to nursing homes or pass away.

After the public hearing period at the work session, the commissioners will put the proposed rezoning to a final vote at their meeting Wednesday.

If the rezoning is approved, Hinkson said Joseph would still have to submit a major land development plan to be approved separately.

Like David L. Dye on Facebook or email him at ddye@sharonherald.com.