Perrysburg Towship approves multi-family housing units

George Oravecz, consulting engineer for Redwood Development, discusses plans for the next phase of the Barrington Place subdivision Wednesday at the Perrysburg Township trustee meeting.

Perrysburg Township trustees today approved a developer's plans to build multi-family housing units in Barrington Place, over objections from residents in neighboring subdivisions and against the recommendation of the zoning commission.

Redwood Management originally planned for only single-family dwellings in the development off Simmons Road, but changes in the real estate market and the presence of Kohl's and Lowes in the vicinity changed how best the area could be developed, George Oravecz, consulting engineer for Redwood Management, said at the hearing during the trustees' regular board meeting.

"We think it is the highest and best use of the land," Mr. Oravecz said.

Thirty-seven ranch-style apartments are planned for the northwest corner of the property.

Area homeowners voiced concerns about increases in traffic and noise, as well as decreases in property values and aesthetic views.

There also were concerns regarding a pumping station, which experienced an electrical problem this summer.

"We're the ones with basements," said Mike Leonard, of Basswood Drive, of the homeowners in the Woodmont and Oakmont subdivisions.

The trustees approved the construction plans with two modifications, one being a $5,000 performance bond for maintenance of the pumping station and the other being a change in how a line of spruce trees will be planted, as they are intended as a visual barrier between the apartments and neighboring homes.

In other matters, the trustees for a second time did not act on township maintenance supervisor Kraig Gottfried's request to purchase a 2013 dump truck-snow plow for $133,507 from Stoops Freightliner.

Mr. Gottfried said there are significant problems with the township's 1997 truck he wants to replace, including an undiagnosed electrical issue that turns the truck's lights on and off at whim and a hydraulic problem that creates a loud "scream" in the truck.

"Nobody wants to drive that truck," he said.

Trustee Gary Britten cautioned against trying to extend the life of the vehicle and noted how difficult it was to fix electrical problems.

"We just need to bite the bullet and move forward with this," he said.

Fiscal officer Shirley Haar confirmed that $150,000 from the general fund was approved for the maintenance department's budget in January, but trustees Craig LaHote and Robert Mack said they were unwilling to draw from it, and said he should use the truck for at least one more year.

"It's just a little different climate right now," Mr. Mack said.