Dear Supporters,

  Since that last update the city has held a steering committee meeting on the land use plan and released a draft plan that can be found here: Draft Land Use Plan Link. If you're wondering about why this land use plan update is important, please see my last post. In short, the land use plan sets the policy for development throughout the city for the next ten years and a good land use plan can go a long way to ensuring responsible growth while preserving the character of the city we know and love.

  You will see in this draft land use plan a few changes since the last plan in 2009. I think it strongly favors more dense high growth scenarios and ignores feedback in the surveys leading up to this point that show community opposition to this type of high growth scenario. However, there are a few positive changes in there. I encourage you to read through it with a sharp eye. For example, I do not believe generalities are always a good thing since one person's definition of residential may be low density single family homes while another person's may be three story condos at a much higher density. This document will be used by future developers to justify their proposals, so some specifics can be beneficial to ensure there isn't too broad of a scope for interpretation.

  Land use plans corresponding to the Easton Farm property start on page 50. Here you will see the key points the city wants in future development of this area. I still remain concerned about many aspects of this section, including the outright dismissal of the R-1 zoning in future land use resulting in mismatched zoning next to residential neighborhoods to the west and the mention of multi-story buildings with residences on the upper floors (meaning 3+ story buildings). Also, take a look at page 93 which includes a depiction of the relative size of the city's desired residential and commercial areas for Easton Farm. If you compare the current and future land use plans (pages 31 and 43) you'll notice a significant increase in mixed use zoning (which typically have higher density housing and a urban design for commercial and residential areas) including on the largest undeveloped parcels in the city.

Please choose to participate in these ways:

1) Take the online survey. It is open until December 15th. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/springboro-mp

2) Attend the open house that will be held between 6 - 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021 at the Heatherwoode Golf Course Clubhouse, 88 Heatherwoode Circle. While in-person attendance is best, if you can't attend you can still send your thoughts to the city (Dan Boron, Community Planner, 937-748-6183, or danb@cityofspringboro.com and I encourage including city council at council@cityofspringboro.com).

3) Stay informed. Read the draft plan. Bring it up in conversation with friends and neighbors. Stay involved in your city government.

Remember, this is a DRAFT land use plan that still has to go through planning commission and city council. It can be improved with the right community feedback.

Find more information on the master plan and upcoming events and meetings here: https://www.cityofspringboro.com/444/Master-Plan

Thank you!