The gated complex sits just east of Meridian Way, on the site of the former Varnau's West Chester Garden Center, which closed in July.
A unanimous vote by trustees Tuesday changed the township’s zoning map amendment for the property from commercial industrial use to residential and approved a preliminary development plan.
Initial plans for the site were rejected by the Butler County Planning Commission and West Chester Zoning Commission earlier this year. Continental withdrew those plans in May after trustees raised concerns about not having a greater density of units in the development to support area businesses.
Trustees on Tuesday commended Continental for its willingness to re-approach the project and for balancing high-density living with green space needs.
“You really worked hard to get this done,” said Trustee Mark Welch, who added that the project “satisfies a need that we have in West Chester.”
“The litmus test for me in a project like this is when I downsize … I want to stay in West Chester and I believe that this project … will satisfy that need for Baby Boomers who are going to be downsizing to get the qualities that they are used to,” he said.
The development’s tax revenue will be comparable to existing commercial industrial sites, around $28,000 per acre, per year, Welch said.
Estimated annual economic impact of expendable income to surrounding retail, services and restaurants is more than $7.3 million, he said.
The upscale, Class A project will fill a large, unmet demand, for quality, upscale rentals around The Square at Union Centre, according to Sara Johnson, Continental’s development director.
“It will be a high-end, unique multi-family housing project that caters to young professionals in the community,” Johnson said. “Our development, paired with the restaurants, retail space, public gathering areas and a walk-to-walk office community will really energize the town center in implementing a live-work-play lifestyle option.”
Plans call for 308 apartments with a mix of studio apartments and 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom offerings with “unique, flexible floorplans,” Johnson said.
The units would range from a studio apartment at 525 square feet to the largest three-bedroom apartment at 1,430 square feet, Johnson said.
Each apartment would come with its own stainless steel appliances, as well as washer and dryers.
Planned amenities include a $1.3 million clubhouse, outdoor pool, community garden, café, car wash, 24-hour fitness center, outdoor seating areas, pet playgrounds, pet spa and a walking trail around the pond.
This is the second Continental development in Butler County. Site work is underway at Springs at Liberty, a 23-acre, 288-unit apartment complex between Ohio 129 and Hamilton-Mason Road just west of Cincinnati-Dayton Road in Liberty Twp.
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