MOUNT VERNON—The Mount Vernon Municipal Planning Commission approved Lemmon Development’s comprehensive plan for a 156-unit planned neighborhood on Upper Gilchrist Road.
At its February meeting, the commission tabled the plan and asked Lemmon to provide more details.
Responding Thursday to those concerns, Patrick Mackie of Lemmon Development said the project will unfold in two phases. The first phase includes 19 buildings – 86 of the 156 units – and the clubhouse.
The community will not have sidewalks but a 3-foot-wide striped lane on the asphalt, which adheres to ADA requirements.
“Our community, unlike a subdivision, does not have private roads but rather driveways,” Mackie said.
Regarding street names, he said the roads are classified as access routes, and only one address will be assigned to the neighborhood.
Brookwood Management will oversee the development, including handling leasing, property compliance, and capital improvements. Trash pickup is at individual units rather than in Dumpsters.
There is no homeowners association since the units are rentals. Lease agreements include prohibited items such as boats and trailers.
Neighbor reaction
Upper Gilchrist Road residents Ron Sheets and Jim Stulka reiterated their opposition to the project. The Pido family and Marsha Kelso expressed concerns via correspondence.
They cited safety issues with the entrance, speed on Upper Gilchrist, buffer height, and stormwater management.
Mackie said the revised plan includes increased buffering. The project shifted farther west and south, increasing the buffer zones.
“There is no intent to remove the buffering that already exists for the residents north and east of the community,” Mackie said.
John Walsh of GBC Designs said the Upper Gilchrist Road entrance shifted to the south, improving safety. Shrubs and trees will be planted on top of mounds; Walsh said the buffer height will be around 9 feet.
Sheets’ concern involved taking property on the west side of Upper Gilchrist when the city improves the road. He requested the city take the required land from the east side.
City Engineer Brian Ball responded that the city is strongly considering shifting the road to the east as neighbors requested.
Mount Vernon Councilman James Mahan reiterated concerns about striped pavement vs. sidewalks.
“I recognize that the concept of a driveway probably technically fits, but if it goes past 19 units and a clubhouse, it’s a driveway that’s functioning as a street,” he said.
Mahan said the city had “higher aspirations” for multi-modal transportation when it adopted its complete streets and active transportation plans. He questioned whether the walkways would extend to Upper Gilchrist and Coshocton Road.
Ball said plans call for a walkway on the east side of Upper Gilchrist. Rockford agreed to provide real estate for the path, which would terminate at the southern point of Lemmon’s development.
He said, hopefully, Lemmon would connect to the path.
Heartland Commerce Park
Planning commission members also approved an amended plat map for Heartland Commerce Park.
Zachary DiMarco of Critchfield Critchfield & Johnston said several parties interested in HCP asked to change several lot lines because they either needed more or less space.
Another change involves five landowners on the east side of the park. A chain link fence was installed between the homes and HCP. However, the fence was installed 15 feet on HCP property, not on the boundary line.
The land bank will transfer the 15-foot strip to the individual owners via quit claim deeds. The city is one of the landowners.
MPC member Todd Hawkins recused himself from voting because he is a member of the Area Development Foundation Board. The ADF is involved with operations at the Knox County Land Bank and HCP.
206 S. Mulberry
Bryan Hunt, legal counsel for SM Properties of Mount Vernon LLC, requested approval to establish a professional condominium at 206 S. Mulberry St.
The current structure will remain intact; the building owner will install no new sewer or water lines, utilities, or access routes.
Hunt said establishing a condominium structure enables the owner to sell the three existing units.
He submitted bylaws for condominium ownership and for a Professional Condominium Association.
The planning commission approved the request.
Historical Review Commission
The Historical Review Commission met prior to the planning commission on Thursday to review the county’s request to improve the back entrance to the service center at 117 E. High St.
The county commissioners plan to enclose the existing loading dock and add a covered vestibule at the East Chestnut Street entrance.
Renovations are needed because the current approach to the entrance slopes toward the service center, causing water damage to the building.
The project includes new lighting fixtures, signage, and facade renovation.
The existing facade material is a yellow brick. The brick would be clad with metal panels to match the proposed addition and the nearby Board of Elections building renovated in 2019.
The new vestibule features a stone finish. The enclosed loading dock has an overhead door matching the doors on the county’s adjacent vehicle service building.
MPC members approved the request.