Single-family homes proposed for vacant Dublin lot near Columbus border

DUBLIN, Ohio (WCMH) -- Vacant land in Dublin bordering a Columbus neighborhood could soon be home to a single-family development launched by one of central Ohio's most prominent builders.

A proposal by Schottenstein Homes calls for a development named "Miller Farms" to include 113 single-family homes on a 46.5-acre site located east of Cosgray Road and directly north of the Hayden Farms neighborhood in Columbus. If constructed, Miller Farms would also border a railroad to the west and connect to Hayden Farms, also a single-family development.

A trail system would also weave through Hayden Farms and connect to various greenspaces within the development totaling about 14 acres, the proposal submitted to the Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission shows.

During a July 11 planning and zoning meeting to review the proposal, several Dublin commissioners said they support the idea of the development but would like to see tweaks made to the Miller Farms design. Commissioner Dan Garvin said his biggest concern was the proposed homes' lack of variation, while Commissioner Gary Alexander said the developers should rethink the proposal's front entrance.

"To me, the front of your property is not the corner, the front of your property is Tuttle Crossing," said Alexander. "Having units face the front yard and making that as a really elaborate landscape, I think, would enhance your design. But, generally, I'm supportive of what you've done."

Commissioner Jamie Chinnock said, that while Dublin usually prefers multi-family housing, he supports implementing single-family homes on this site. Commissioner Kim Way celebrated the development's use of green space, noting that the neighborhood would be sandwiched between two of Dublin's "major arteries."

"This development has to very important edges, and I think the way that you have organized the open space along both of those sets up the development really well to create a really positive image," said Way.

Commissioner Rebecca Call, chair of the commission, echoed the previous commissioners' criticism and argued the development's layout is too similar to the Columbus neighborhood to the south.

"[Dublin] doesn't typically seek to look like our Columbus neighbors," said Call. "This is as intense on its eastern edge as the southern area. Density, this is nowhere near like our southern borders. But the intensity is still there."

Schottenstein Homes will return to the commission for further review before granting approval. Then, Dublin's city council will also review the proposal before construction can begin.