Sylvania Township rejects Little Rd. plan

9/17/2004

A residential development of condominiums and single-family homes on Little Road was unanimously rejected last night by Sylvania Township trustees after hearing complaints from neighbors about the density of the project.

It would have included 20 homes and 96 condominiums in eight buildings south of Little and east of Centennial Road.

The proposal had been recommended for approval by both the Lucas County Plan Commission and the township zoning commission.

Gary Sommer, an attorney representing homeowners in nearby Brookfield Estates, acknowledged that the developers made several concessions, including reducing the number of units from the original 160 and increasing the amount of landscape screening. Nevertheless, he said the proposal still called for too many housing units next to developments of single-family homes.

George Oravecz, a consulting engineer for the developer, RD Limited Partnership, pointed out that the current zoning is for heavy-industrial use, which could create a greater hardship for area residents.

In addition to making changes in the development itself, Mr. Oravecz said the developer would improve Little Road and add a left-turn lane at Centennial. He said the firm would also construct turn lanes in both directions from Centennial to Little.

Carol Contrada, a trustee, said that even with the proposed improvements to Little, the project would have brought too much density to the area.