Last summer, the city authorized an agreement with Cristo Homes for the development of up to 59 homes on the property.
In the solicitation for redevelopment proposals, city officials noted the property is located adjacent to the Highlands Historic District to the east and serves as an endcap to the light retail corridor along Central Avenue to the west
The concept plan calls for the construction of up to 59 dwellings with a mix of three- and four-unit residential buildings along a new public street to be constructed as part of the development.
Cristo and J.A. Development were back before council Tuesday night for a public hearing on a zoning change to the property. It comes after months working with city staff and planning commission hearings.
Planning commission approved the preliminary plan, but called for a traffic study, consultation with the fire chief on ladder truck access and the reduction of density to 57 units.
Middletown Fire Chief Tom Snively said the issue had been addressed.
Adam Cristo told council removing two units would increase the price of the homes, which he estimates would be at about $300,000 for a three- bedroom. He said the residences would be owner-occupied.
“Middletown needs new housing stock, if you want less density it is going to be at a higher price ... an increase of about $5,000 bucks each,” Cristo said.
He said Middletown will have to decide if “they want new housing. They have to make peace with the density or it just won’t get built.”
Several residents spoke against the plan, citing concerns about increased traffic, the price point, the number of residences on the land and that it wouldn’t blend in with the neighboring Highland Historic District.
Resident Linda Moorman summed up the concerns, “This is too many houses … it is too much.”
Council members noted the density concerns, but the housing is needed and development has to be profitable, they said.
“That school just sat there and now we have some land with the ability to let Middletown grow,” Councilman Paul Horn said.
Mayor Elizabeth Slamka urged the developers to work more on landscaping, including tree placement and updated fencing.
Councilman Steve West II said he wanted to make it clear that a no vote on this plan, which offers some city control, means another developer could come in with a new plan that, under current zoning, could include rental units.
Councilwoman Jennifer Carter voted no in a straw poll.
The preliminary plan is scheduled to get a formal first reading at the January council meeting and will still have to go back to the planning commission and council for approval on a final plan.
Lincoln School closed in 1980 when students were moved up Central Avenue to Roosevelt Elementary School, which closed in 2008 and was also demolished. It is now the site of a residential development. Lincoln was then sold to Middletown Dental Group, which maintained a dental practice in the building until 2011. Several small businesses operated out of the building during that time.
The large brick structure built in 1927 continued to deteriorate and caught fire several times. After years of discussion, it was demolished by the city due to its dilapidated condition.
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