SANDUSKY — The city’s zoning board of appeals failed to approve a developer’s proposal to build a 132-unit affordable housing community off Milan Road during a board meeting Thursday. The board vote was 2-2, meaning the proposal could not be approved because of the tie.
Prior to the vote, city community development director Colleen Gilson urged board members to approve the plan, telling them the city is in desperate need of affordable housing.
“We are at a critical point in Sandusky. If we don’t take action to create affordable housing now, we risk losing families, workers, and seniors who simply can’t find a place they can afford,” Gilson said.
The split vote means the variance failed. Board members who voted no cited traffic and drainage concerns, while supporters emphasized the community’s growing need.
Sue Daugherty, executive director of Serving Our Seniors, also spoke prior to the vote.
“This project directly benefits the people I represent — older adults on fixed incomes who have no realistic options in this housing market. We need to stop pretending affordable housing is someone else’s problem,” Daugherty said.
Peter Schwiegeraht, speaking for the developer, defended the project’s design and its safeguards.
“This is modern, quality construction that meets state standards. We’ve done traffic and drainage studies, and the site can handle this development. Our goal is to build safe, affordable homes for seniors and working families,” he said.
Several neighbors strongly opposed the plan, saying it would overwhelm their quiet street. One longtime resident told the board the project would upend her life.
“You’re going to kill us two old people. We’re going to be flooded out. We won’t be able to get in and out of our driveway,” she said.
Another neighbor, who said he has lived in the area for more than 60 years, described the proposal as an unwanted disruption.
“I’ve been here my whole life. We don’t need this. The traffic’s already bad, and this will make it worse. It doesn’t fit our neighborhood,” he said.
The board’s 2-2 vote leaves the project in limbo. The developer can either appeal the decision or revise the proposal before bringing it back for consideration.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
• $37 million paid for with state and federal grant and other funding.
• Sandusky Senior Lofts would be a new 5-story apartment building about 75 feet in height with elevator service. The facility will have no more than 132 apartments, contingent on federal funding, this variance request, and all other city approvals.
• A combined 5.3 acres between two parcels. The applicant proposes the extra parcel to remain as green space to provide a buffer between the apartments and other adjacent uses.
• Variance requested: Permission to construct an apartment building with a minimum lot size of 1,294 sq. ft per unit whereas Section 1129.14 requires a lot size of 2,000 sq. ft. per unit.
