SYLVANIA TOWNSHIP

Apartments for seniors proposed on Central Ave.

Zoning changes sought for 214-unit complex

These 40 acres off of West Central Avenue is where a 214-unit apartment development is proposed.

The Blade/Natalie Trusso Cafarello
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These 40 acres off of West Central Avenue is where a 214-unit apartment development is proposed.

Largely undeveloped land in western Sylvania Township is the site for a proposed 214-unit development of ranch-style apartments that will cater to the age 55-and-older community.

The project submitted to the township for approval would go on 40 acres of former farmland at 8739 West Central Ave.

The site for the Lakes at Central Reserve is on the south side of Central, between Centennial and Herr roads.

The units would rent for about $1,300 a month.

John Lateulere, senior vice president of development for Redwood Acquisitions of Cleveland, said his firm has built similar developments in Perrysburg, Oregon, and Monclova Township.

This project, he said, would cost $15 million to $20 million, and would be built in three phases over five years.

“We had good experiences in Toledo and you’ll find our product is geared towards people who are aging, looking for an alternative housing option ... They are renters by choice not by necessity,” he said.

The property is zoned agricultural and a request to change it to residential multifamily will go before the Lucas County Plan Commission at 9 a.m. March 26.

The request is tentatively planned to go before the township zoning commission at 6 p.m. April 9 and the township trustees at 4 p.m. May 6.

The units are to be one-story, with no steps from the garage into the house or from the front sidewalk into the house, officials said. Each unit is to have three-foot-wide interior doorways to accommodate wheelchairs.

In addition, each unit is to have a driveway that would accommodate two cars, and an attached two-car garage.

The start of construction depends on government approvals, but is planned for this year.

The site is in the floodplain area.

Plan drawings include five lakes throughout the development.

Mr. Lateulere said one use for the ponds is to ensure the site has storm water control, and some of the dirt carved from the ponds will be used to raise the ground level of the apartments.

A piece of the site along Central Avenue would be used for the apartment leasing office and remain zoned commercial, said Daryl Graus, township zoning manager.

Contact Natalie Trusso Cafarello at: 419-206-0356, or ntrusso@theblade.com, or on Twitter @natalietrusso.