And a developer wants to turn 86.6 acres of the 101-acre Easton Farm into a mix of commercial, single-family and multi-family residential development.
These are the two latest in a string of commercial developments in Springboro.
“Business development continues to expand our economic base in the city with at least 10 new businesses opening in 2016 along with multiple business expansion projects. In total, approximately 133,000 square feet of commercial and retail business was approved for development last year and final plans for four business expansions amounting to well over 300,000 square feet were also approved,” Springboro John Agenbroad said in his state of the city speech released Monday.
Meijer, based in Grand Rapids, Mich., is seeking rezoning and approval of a general plan approval for the project on the 83-acre Eastbrook Farm.
In addition to a store and other commercial development, the northern portion of the property would be reserved for single-family residential development. Additional land on the east side of the property is proposed to remain “green space,” according to a staff report.
The Easton Farm, which has been a working farm since 1859, is surrounded by developments along North Main Street. Past development plans have prompted major debates.
The current plan is much like one rejected in 2008 by the planning commission.
During a July 2008 Springboro Planning Commission meeting, Marie Belpulsi, at the time a council and planning commission member, called it the “last jewel we have in the city.”
The lesser-known Eastbrook Farm is also surrounded by development along Central Avenue as it heads east into Springboro from Interstate 75.
HP Acquisitions, based in Blue Ash, is seeking rezoning and approval for a general plan for a mixed-use development on most of the land comprising the the Easton Farm at 605 N. Main St., Ohio 741 in Springboro.
As proposed, the development could include more than 450 homes, apartments or town homes.
A 16.1-acre parcel of land on the west side of the property is not included in the application and is proposed to be retained by the existing property owner, the Ted and Becky Hall Living Trust.
The property is presently farmed and includes two homes on the west side of the property.
The plan proposes 17.2-acres of commercial development along the North Main Street frontage on the east side of the property.
More than 100 homes are proposed on 34 acres on the south central portion of the land.
Apartments and townhouses are proposed on 18.6 acres in the north central portion of the land. Town homes are also proposed on 8.2 acres to the west.
The Springboro Planning Commission is scheduled to review the Easton Farm plan and consider the rezoning request at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Springboro City Hall.
Representatives from Meijer have requested to be moved to the Feb. 8 planning commission work session agenda.
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