MORGANTOWN — The construction of 30 three-bedroom townhomes on 2.45 acres along Morgantown’s municipal boundary is moving forward – with conditions.
The Monongalia County Commission on Wednesday signed off on an amendment to the West Run Planning District zoning map that will change the zoning of 659 McCullough Ave. from R-2 (neighborhood density residential) to R-4 (high density residential).
Metro Properties, LLC intends to construct eight, three-story structures on the corner parcel bordered by McCullough Avenue, Dartmouth Road and Briar Patch Lane.
But in order to move forward, the developer must meet a number of conditions laid out in a development of significant impact site plan review as required by the Monongalia County Planning Commission.
The conditions are tied primarily to stormwater management and street access.
“If you approve and all the conditions are not met, then the development does not proceed without going through the process for an amendment or reapplying,” County Planner Andrew Gast-Bray told the commission. “If you approve and all the conditions are met as verified by the [Monongalia County Planning Commission] then, and only then, is the map finally amended.”
Lynn Baker, who resides in an adjacent neighborhood, called the project “a mixed bag.”
On one hand, Metro Properties is working with the Morgantown Utility Board to include some $300,000 in stormwater improvements to address flooding issues that arose as the Tanglewood, Acorn Village and Park Hills neighborhoods became encircled by development.
On the other hand, the new townhomes promise to draw additional traffic into what is already a congested tangle of captured neighborhoods, each of which is just outside the city and therefore responsible for maintaining their own streets.
“I don’t think people are against the Biaforas putting stuff in. They’ve done a nice job with a lot of areas. They’ve done well. I just don’t think the infrastructure is there. It’s obvious it’s not there,” Amherst Road resident Andy Lawrence said. “We’re going to add more traffic to an area that’s already bad.”
Morgantown Director of Engineering and Public Works Damien Davis said a four-way stop will be put in place at the convergence of McCullough Avenue, Hoffman Avenue, Dartmouth Road and Citadel Road. McCullough and Hoffman represent the municipal boundary in that area.
The new development will have entrances/exits off both McCullough and Dartmouth. A portion of McCullough will be widened and a sidewalk will be constructed along the length of the property.
As for stormwater, Dave Biafora, representing Metro Properties, noted the improvements to be included extend well beyond the property in question and are not necessary to build the project.
“I could spend $75,000 and be done and not mess around. MUB is stepping up. MUB is putting in $75,000 or $80,000 and we’re going to put the rest in. I’d rather just pay the $75,000 and put the pump in and be done. Not a problem and less money. But the right thing to do is spend the money,” he said. “I understand the people in the other neighborhoods nearby, but we’re fixing a huge problem here.”
Further, it was explained that 20 three-bedroom units could be built on the property as it’s currently zoned by right with no oversight and no real stormwater engineering.
“We have a housing shortage. We have drainage problems. We have flooding issues. This seemingly addresses, or attempts to address, those issues with this project,” Commissioner Jeff Arnett said. “While I don’t believe this project is a tit-for-tat, it is going to help the area. It behooves us to accept the help that’s being offered here and move this project forward.”
The neighbors said they hope the commission backs up its decision.
“We are hoping that this commission will take responsibility for the consequences that occur if this is approved,” Acorn Village resident Luann Hendershot said, adding, “I believe the Biaforas and the planning commission have done their best to make a viable plan. We just don’t know who’s going to enforce it and what’s going to happen if it goes left.”
