Wednesday, April 07, 1999
Condos to be built in Monroe
180 units planned at Ohio 63
BY JANET C. WETZEL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MONROE — Spring is going to bring more than April showers and blooming flowers in this growing city.
It will also bring the start of a condominium development on Ohio 63 on 55 acres that the owner has been trying to develop for years.
Many Monroe residents and potential buyers will welcome the new homes, said one, Louise Smith.
“It's needed,” Mrs. Smith said. “It sounds great for a lot of us single people in the city.”
A zoning change from single-family to multifamily residential with a planned unit development (PUD) was approved by city council in late February.
Last week it got through the 30-day waiting period required before it became official and no objections were filed, said Jay Stewart, assistant city manager.
“Now they will be at the April 21 planning commission with phase one construction drawings,” Mr. Stewart said. “Once those are approved they will be ready to start putting in utilities and streets. They anticipate starting as soon as they get approval, probably yet this spring.”
Norwood developer Joe Farruggia wants to build Villas of Heritage Green, the 180-unit condominium development for “empty-nesters” with prices starting at about $90,000.
Mr. Farruggia fought to develop this site. In 1996, after council approved rezoning the land from agricultural to single-family, a citizens' group got the decision overturned through a referendum.
In May 1997, council again approved single-family zoning but Mr. Farruggia had trouble marketing the lots to builders. This latest proposal drew little negative response.
Homes will range from 1,300 to 2,600 square feet in a gated community with a clubhouse, wooded area, winding walking path, lake with a fountain, shuffleboard, garden sites for residents, and picnic and children's play areas, Mr. Farruggia said.
Mrs. Smith said in her subdivision there are about 16 widowed people still in their homes because they hate to give them up without having other options in the city.
“We'd like to have someplace that's easier to care for, but we don't want to move out of the area,” she said. “Until we have something I think will suit me better, I don't plan to move. But I'll certainly be looking at these new condos. We've been waiting for this for years.”
Mr. Stewart agreed the development is needed.
“I've supported this because I think it's a quality development, and it fills a large void as far as housing stock in the city,” Mr. Stewart said.
“We have had a number of people wanting this kind of housing in Monroe. Now they will have that option.”
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