Save the Wetlands & The Opdyke Historic House in Centerville & Bellbrook: 7155 Wilmington Ave

Continental Properties has proposed a multi-family development (338-378 rental units) at the intersection of Bellemeade Drive and Wilmington Pike (behind the Marathon gas station on the corner of Alex Bell and Wilmington). Bellbrook and Centerville are steadily losing their small town feel and wildlife habitats to land developers. As gems of the Dayton Metropolitan Area and homes to critical wildlife habitat, we need to preserve the charm, history, and biodiversity of our beautiful and open/green space cities. 

We, the undersigned hereby declare:

Issues:

1. We are concerned for the long-term preservation of the wetlands and its inhabitants as well as the historic significant sites located within the farm
2. The proposed new zoning district classification and use of the land will not be in harmony with the scale, bulk, coverage, density, and character of the area & neighborhood in which it is located 
3. We do not welcome 600+ additional cars into an already bottlenecked community. The traffic, noise, water, & light pollution will ruin our quiet residential neighborhood, not to mention the safety of the children (many with special needs) & protected wildlife. The Preliminary Development Plan does not address safe conditions for pedestrians or motorists and the prevention of dangerous arrangement of pedestrian and vehicular ways  
4. The zoning district classification and use of the land will materially endanger public health & safety via hazardous traffic situations, increased water pollution from runoff, etc. Studies show that excess noise & pollution severely impacts mental & physical health 
5. The past 2 levies have not passed for the Centerville school district & 40 positions have been cut for the 2024-2025 school year. The schools cannot support the influx of children this development would bring
6. The proposal would substantially injure the value of the abutting property. We don’t want our home values to decrease and taxes to increase with people who are not invested in the community long-term
7. The proposed zoning district classification and use of the land does not conform with the Create the Vision Comprehensive Plan and other official plans of the City as this is not part of our established & shared community vision
8. We do not support gutting the historic Opdyke home (one of the founders of Centerville/Bellbrook.) The site will also cut off public access to the landmark located on the same property

Asks:

• We hereby disagree with the rezoning request submitted by Continental Properties and request that it is left as-is. We don’t want to bring a D- builder into an A+ community.
• We support a collaborative community-based effort that ensures that the only future of this property is one of conversion into a cultural, educational, community space that honors the rich history of this land, as well as its environmental values as we understand the unique historic importance of the Opdyke Farm
• We ask that all agencies and government officials ensure that the highest level of protections be given to the Opdyke historic home & wetland