230-acre development deemed 'traffic nightmare' by locals moves forward

DELAWARE, Ohio (WCMH) -- A proposal to build a 230-acre development in Delaware that residents previously said will aggravate the "central Ohio traffic nightmare" has moved another step forward.

Metro Development is aiming to build a neighborhood named "Northwood" with 1,168 homes across 230.67 acres at the northwest corner of State Route 521 and the Byxbe Parkway roundabout. The Delaware Planning Commission approved a subdivision plat on July 17 to split the 230-acre site into three separate properties, given the development will be home to three subareas with different development teams.

However, the development's last review by the planning commission in December received pushback from Delaware residents like Philip Taraska, who argued that State Route 521 is insufficient to support the development. Taraska said an extension of Byxbe Parkway through Northwood will "only add to the traffic congestion and make things worse."

"Delaware is known as a central Ohio traffic nightmare," said Taraska. "The city of Delaware is expanding at an unhealthy pace and with insufficient infrastructure to support it."

Plans call for Northwood's Subarea A to contain up to 260 multi-family units in three-story walkup buildings on 22.88 acres. The buildings would have one to three-bedroom units ranging from 680 to 1,200 square feet. A clubhouse with an outdoor pool would also be constructed in this section.

Subarea B would be constructed by M/I Homes and include up to 257 single-family homes on 124 acres, and would also feature a clubhouse. One-story homes with a minimum of 1,400 square feet and two-story homes with a minimum of 1,700 square feet are proposed for this section.

Northwood's Subarea C would include up to 451 multi-family units in either single-story buildings or two-story townhomes across 83.38 acres. The structures would house two to eight units with one to three bedrooms ranging from 800 to 1,200 square feet. The third area would also feature a clubhouse.

Sylvia DiGuilio, a resident of the neighborhood to the west of the site, said during the December meeting the proposal's multi-family units would worsen traffic congestion. DiGuilio said she and her neighbors agree that the way to reduce high-density traffic is to eliminate the building of all apartments in the area.

"This is like adding fuel to the fire, it cannot happen," said DiGuilio. "If you plan to proceed with these apartments, knowing full well that all of us are against it, it will prove to us that our city does not care what matters to the people."

David Gaines, another local resident, said the volume of rental properties in the area is concerning and argued apartment tenants are not invested in the neighborhood. Gaines said he moved to the area because he wanted to live in a small community

"I grew up in apartments, and they're depressing as hell," said Gaines. "I think this project will change the dynamic of the area we live in, and I would strongly encourage not approving this project."