The Maypine subdivision project, in addition to West Pines, is still ongoing on White Road in Willoughby Hills. (Marah Morrison — The News-Herald)
Willoughby Hills City Council recently approved the preliminary plat for the West Pines subdivision.
After more than 2 1/2 years of being involved with the Perrino Builders and Remodeling project, the Planning Commission and Architectural Board of Review approved the plat, which will be comprised of 13 single-family homes that are going to be geared toward a senior demographic.
The price point for the homes will be over $400,000 and will be located off of SOM Center Road.
According to Councilwoman Tanya Taylor Draper, the project satisfied all city zoning regulations, as well as the United States Army Corps of Engineers’. Additionally, the Ohio EPA approved the wetlands and the sanitary sewer. Alongside Lake County, Ohio EPA approved the water main.
Stormwater management, erosion and sediment control was also approved by Lake County.
“It was vetted,” Draper said. “It received all the approvals it needed to and the city engineer recommended approval.”
In light of the project, Draper spent time speaking with residents who would be directly affected.
“It was an emotional issue for a lot of them,” she said. “Even though they weren’t happy still with the whole thing, they respected Perrino’s right to do what he wanted.”
Pat Perrino, owner of Perrino Custom Homes, also reached out to residents and hosted two meetings at his home in Chester Township. His crew, engineer and landscaper were among those in attendance to answer residents’ concerns or additional questions.
“He had food, so he made it comfortable for them,” Draper said. “He tried to exhibit that neighborly attitude that we’re wanting to see. After everything was said and done, the group had no choice but to move forward and approve the project. There was no reason not to and to hold anything up.”
Amid the project, one thing that has remained clear is that both sides learned a lot in regard to best practices on how to handle new things, said Mayor Chris Hallum.
“This isn’t just your general, generic housing project,” he said. “This was something unique that had never been done before. I know 2 1/2 years seems like a long time, but sometimes things like that can take longer. It ended up being handled properly. It was passed unanimously, so I’m happy with how well everyone ended up working together and finding a solution that while not everyone may be thrilled about understands.”
In the regard that the project consists of smaller lot sizes and being less area to maintain, the homes are geared toward senior citizens who may want to stay in the city, but do not want to have a large lot to care for anymore, Hallum said. This is not a deed restriction, however.
“Anybody can actually live there,” he said.
Meanwhile, at 32700 White Road, phase two of the Maypine subdivision development is underway.
The Maypine development will be an 18-acre parcel where 12 subplots of at least 1 acre each have been purposed. Four of the lots are intended to face White Road and the remaining units will round out a cul-de-sac where the street will be built as a new public right of way.
“It’s going to have the bells and whistles,” Hallum said. “The price point for this is around $900,000 — not cheap, but nice.”
Going forward, Draper believes it’s important to make sure residents are involved in the processes and discussions of projects that may affect them, and that their concerns are heard.
“It has to be almost a prerequisite,” she said. “You have to meet with residents who are going to be involved. It is important their voices are heard and their concerns are met. A lot of the concerns were met just due to that actual interaction with Perrino.”
