A Marion developer is planning a new housing development on the city’s near north side, bringing 57 single-family homes to the market. At its meeting Thursday night, the Marion City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance to rezone property totaling 27.77 acres northwest of the intersection of East Robins Road and Alburnett Road […]
A Marion developer is planning a new housing development on the city’s near north side, bringing 57 single-family homes to the market.
At its meeting Thursday night, the Marion City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance to rezone property totaling 27.77 acres northwest of the intersection of East Robins Road and Alburnett Road for the project.
The property is bisected by the planned path of Tower Terrace Road, with the northern portion zoned for agricultural use and most of the southern portion zoned for urban services residential use.
The rezoning plan, unanimously recommended for approval by the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission in May, would zone the entire property as Suburban Medium Density Single-Family Residential to accommodate the new development.
As proposed by developer Todd Frazier and his company,
Frazier Investments LLC, the development would involve construction of 57 new homes in Marion on lots ranging in size from .22 acres to 1.45 acres.
One area resident, Steve Lanich, filed a formal objection to the plan, saying he felt the land should be retained for agricultural purposes to produce food for local food pantries.
In discussion about the plan, Marion council member Sara Mentzer said she was concerned about continued residential development along the future Tower Terrace Road route, and whether this development would adjoin future commercial development to the east without an appropriate transition between the two.
“Are we allowing any kind of buffer on that road, so as that is going through we’re not hearing from residents as to why we have a major thoroughfare going through and they’re hearing all the traffic?” she asked. “Where do we start transitioning what is intended to be a commercial corridor from a residential street? … I’m supportive of this. I’m probably just jumping ahead to a future conversation.”
In response, Marion city manager Ryan Waller noted as currently designated, there are two 40-acre land parcels between this development and any multifamily developments to the east, as well as further buffers before any anticipated commercial development. He also noted the city’s community development staff will be providing a presentation to the council July 18 regarding long-term plans for the Tower Terrace Road and Highway 13 corridors.
The rezoning proposal will require two more readings prior to approval, and the council will also consider a formal development agreement for the proposal at a later date.
