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Commission to hear senior housing plan

By Colin McEwen

Record-Courier staff writer

Neighborhood Development Services is expecting a large turnout at Monday night's Ravenna City Planning Commission meeting to discuss Harvest Rose -- low-income subsidized housing for Portage County seniors age 55 and above.

The proposed location for the development is in the southeast corner of the city limits, between Summit Road, Lake Street and Harvest Drive.

Residents are encouraged to attend and provide input at the public hearing.

NDS Vice President Mike Bogo said he hopes to hear specific concerns from surrounding residents about the housing development.

He said among the residents' concerns is the misconception the development would be for single family homes. Also, residents have expressed dissatisfaction about storm water drains and that the specification for senior living zoning will expire in 30 years.

He said he plans to address residents' concerns at the meeting Monday night.

"We're willing to work with the plans," Bogo said. "We want it to be the best project that it can be, and we certainly want to be a good neighbor."

Originally, NDS had planned to build 66 single family homes on the property, but City Council suggested that senior living was more of a need for the city.

"There is a need for affordable senior housing," Bogo said.

He said NDS still needs to receive a conditional zoning certificate from the planning commission in order to begin construction.

NDS received $550,000 from the Ohio Housing Trust Fund and a $1 million housing development loan to construct Harvest Rose.

The preliminary plans designate this as a private area with roads and common areas to be cared for through an NDS management company.

In its first of two phases, NDS is planning to build 40 units on the land. All units are designed to meet the needs of seniors and accommodate individuals with physical limitations.

Bogo said in order for residents to qualify to live at Harvest Rose, and the $535 per month rent, they most be over 55 and cannot make more than 60 percent of the area median gross income -- or $29,000 for a family of two.

Ravenna Mayor Kevin Poland said the commission can only approve the development if it meets the city's codes.

"Whether or not it should be done is not a concern the city can deal with," he said. "We don't have the right to tell them what they can build on their property.”