Community Corner

Vote on South Lincoln Apartment Proposal Delayed Again

Edwards Communities Development asks for delay to examine idea of an overlay district specific to project site

The delays are mounting for a proposed 596-bed apartment complex on South Lincoln Street just south of the Kent State University campus.

Kent City Council voted for the second time Wednesday to delay their vote on a request to rezone about 10 acres of land from R-3 zoning to the more dense R-4 district. If granted, the rezoning would pave the way for the

Council granted the development firm's request and voted to delay their decision until April 6 to consider the possibility of creating an overlay district, which would apply specifically to the land Edwards Communities wants to develop into student housing.

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Kent Community Development Department Director Gary Locke said overlay districts, in general, are a means to apply specific guidelines to an area within a set zoning district without actually changing the zoning classification.

“We are looking at an overlay district that we think is kind of a middle ground between the R-3 and R-4,” Locke said. “If there’s an interest in doing the overlay as a permanent fix, or as a fix until we get through the overall housing discussion … then I think we can bring that forward and find a way to bring in some safeguards to the overlay that I think we don’t have with the R-4 right now.”

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Locke said the idea of an overlay district in general will be discussed at a joint meeting between the Kent Planning Commission, Kent Board of Zoning Appeals and other city boards March 15.

Dave Williams, the attorney for Edwards Communities Development, asked council for the delay so the idea of an overlay district could be examined for their project.

"That will give everybody a chance to take a look at the overlay district,” he said. “We all ought to explore what’s there to see what suits best. Because it’s an important issue for the city of Kent. It’s an important issue for us.”

The idea of an overlay district for the project gained some support from at least one council member and one of the many residents who showed up to speak on the issue, but the majority of residents there still opposed the project.

Councilwoman Tracy Wallach said the city's current zoning codes don't seem to meet the city's goals of preserving neighborhoods while also encouraging responsible development.

High Street resident Amanda Ennis said there is too big of a gap between the number of residential units permitted per acre under the R-3 and R-4 zoning districts, and she believes the city needs a classification between the two districts. The R-3 district permits eight residential units per acre and the R-4 district permits up to 36 units per acre.

Ennis said she's reconciled with the likelihood the land won't be turned into a public park or single-family subdivision.

"I think it’s OK to have student housing there … but we need to find a number between eight and 36 that everyone can live with, and I think doing the overlay would allow us to do that,” she said.

Still, most residents near the proposed project site who attended Wednesday's meeting remained adamantly opposed.

Cassandra Pegg-Kirby, also a High Street resident, like many residents who spoke Wednesday said the project is a quality of life issue.

“You, city council, have the unenviable task of determining the future of my neighborhood," she said. "The survival of my neighborhood is in your hands. I hope you’ll take the time to think through what is best for all parties involved.”


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