CENTERBURG — Plans are coming together for a 102-unit housing subdivision behind Whitey’s Car Wash on State Route 3/U.S. Route 36.
M/I Homes officials discussed a boulevard approach, underground utilities and mixed-use path with planning and zoning officials on Monday.
Initial plans called for 92 single-family homes. M/I builder Steven Peck said property owner DDWK plans to raze the existing house at 55 Factory St., which opens up space for additional lots.
The development’s primary entrance is from Routes 3/36.
“Right now we’re showing it as a boulevard, trying to give you a sense of arrival there, not having houses right out on 36,” Peck said.
“We do have a connection here to Union and Factory [streets], which would be our secondary access for police and fire.”
The 30 acres sit between the elementary and high schools. Peck said the development will include pedestrian connections to both schools and the existing walking path along Routes 3/36.
Future discussions will determine whether connections take the form of a mixed-use path, sidewalks on both sides of the streets or a combination.
Peck said M/I is flexible on the width of sidewalks and mixed-use path. However, M/I prefers a concrete path vs. asphalt.
M/I builds homes according to sales. Peck said using asphalt on the path means multiple seams on the path as homes get built.
Peck said M/I will consider eliminating two southern lots (in the area of lots 19-21) and creating a stub road that would eventually connect to another proposed subdivision.
Leaving green space and creating an easement for a future road is also an option.
Village Administrator Rick Dzik is talking with Centerburg School Superintendent Ryan Gallwitz about potential access roads spanning the developments between the schools.
Affordable homes targeted for seniors, empty nesters
M/I Homes is building a similar developments in Liberty Township in Delaware County, Delaware city and Hebron.
“This is a product that is getting more and more popular because of the affordability aspect of it,” Peck said.
Homes will be between 1,500 and 2,400 square feet on a slab foundation in a price range between $375,000 to $440,000.
Approximately 30 percent will be ranch-style; the remaining will be two-story designs.
Peck said seniors, empty nesters, and single women are driving the preference for ranch homes.
Houses will have 6-foot side yards and underground utilities in the back yard. Lighting is planned at intersections, not each home.
Gang (cluster) mailboxes will be throughout the development or in one location, depending on U.S. Postal Service requirements.
Trees and mounding will serve as buffers between existing residences and the school football field.
Stormwater plans currently include two aerated retention ponds.
Phased build-out could begin as early as fall 2027
Peck said M/I Homes submitted a traffic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to the village, county and Ohio Department of Transportation.
Once the MOUs are signed, M/I will conduct a full-blown traffic study. Roadways in the study include Wilson Road, Route 3/36, South Hartford Avenue, Ohio 314, Factory Street and potentially Clayton and Union streets.
The development spans three parcels encompassing roughly 30 acres. Eight and a half acres were previously annexed into the village; the remaining 22 are in the annexation process.
The Knox County Board of Commissioners has accepted the annexation request.
If the village approves annexation, the 22 acres will come into the village as Estate Residential. The village requires M/I to request rezoning to PD (planned development) to proceed with the subdivision.
Peck said if developer and village officials agree on development items, DDWK plans to start the rezoning process later this fall, simultaneous with the annexation process.
Build-out will be in two phases, starting with the western side of the land.
“A lot of that’s going to be dependent upon how many units we can build on one access [entrance] in terms of police and fire,” Peck said. “It may end up being pretty quick that we come in and loop all the way through depending on how many units police and fire are comfortable with on a single axis.”
Peck said if the rezoning is completed in March 2027, contractors could start excavating in the fall or winter.
Paving could get underway in spring 2028 and construction in June or July of 2028.
