First part of 75-home plan near Springboro schools gets initial OK

The first phase of a 75-home subdivision off of Ohio 741, left, south of downtown Springboro. Jim Noelker/Staff

The first phase of a 75-home subdivision off of Ohio 741, left, south of downtown Springboro. Jim Noelker/Staff

Construction on a 75-home subdivision off Ohio 741 just north of the Springboro High School/Junior High School campus is expected to start late next spring pending city approval.

The first phase of the estimated $45 million Northampton development by M/I Homes calls for 41 lots on 17.67 acres at 1525 S. Main St. between downtown Springboro and the schools, said Dan Tartabini, a company vice president.

The entire 35-acre project is expected to take two to three years to complete, Tartabini said.

M/I Homes is targeting “younger families looking for great schools, close to excellent shopping, a highway and amenities … being tucked up there next to the schools is a huge bonus for us,” he said.

Tartabini estimated the homes to range in price from the mid-$500,000s to low-$600,000s.

They will be a mix of ranch and two-story units between 2,100 and 3,800 square feet, he said.

The plan is moving forward despite earlier concerns by residents that included increased traffic near the schools, water runoff, noise and possible issues with a water well.

This is the latest rendering of the new Whispering Pines subdivision which will be located off Ohio 741. The subdivision will have 75 new homes and will be north of the Springboro Junior High School campus and district's athletic facilities. CONTRIBUTED/CITY OF SPRINGBORO

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Residents raised questions about those issues in December before city council in January approved a land use change of the former Morris property from an R-1 estate-type residential district to a residential planned unit development.

No residents attended the Springboro Planning Commission meeting Wednesday when the group voted 4-0 in favor of the proposal’s first phase. This issue is set to go before city council next month.

Initial construction “would just cover the front property and then also dedicate right of way” along Ohio 741, Springboro Planner Dan Boron said.

Justin Lanham of M/I Homes said in December that a traffic study had been completed, and that the current right turn lane on southbound Ohio 741 into the junior high campus will be extended by 200 feet.

City Manager Chris Pozzuto said at that time the berming would go west from Ohio 741 along the property line to a wooded area to honor a neighbor’s request for berming between the new subdivision and neighboring homes.

The rezoning allows the city to have more say in the subdivision development, Springboro officials said.

It also enabled the city to ensure the historic preservation of the Janney House, built in 1832; as well as providing 37.6% of required open space, Boron has said. The PUD zoning also sets the maximum number of homes to be constructed at 75.

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