The proposed redevelopment site is on Mogadore Road, south of Summit Street in Kent. Image via Google Maps
Business / Kent / Local government
Housing developer proposing large project in Kent’s South End
- Wendy DiAlesandro
A developer is proposing a 102-unit housing development in Kent, this one bordering Mogadore Road south of West Summit Street. It would alter the city’s historic South End, long known as the mother neighborhood of Kent.
Kent’s Planning Commission is set to meet at 7 p.m. Aug. 19 to consider the rezoning proposal.
The property encompasses the former Davey Machine property and is now owned by Hometown Bank.
Anyone interested in learning about the proposal is welcome to meet developer GreyFoxRE LLC’s representatives at 7 p.m. Aug. 12 at Hometown Bank, 142 N. Water St.
The developer has presented the city with preliminary designs showing 56 townhomes and 46 attached ranch-style homes for a total of 102 units.
The development would span Mogadore Road from Summit Street, including eight townhomes bordering Franklin Avenue north of the post office, more bordering Mogadore Road southward, and additional units directly behind and to the south of the post office. Still more preliminary drawings indicate more than 40 units behind Maple and Walnut streets.
The developer estimates 5.8 units per acre on 17.6 acres. The drawings show a 1.4-acre stormwater basin and a clubhouse with a swimming pool bordering Mogadore Road.
To accomplish its goal, the developer would need the city to rezone two parcels on Franklin Avenue from Industrial to R-3 (High Density Residential).
The first parcel, at 600 Franklin Ave., is an 11.61-acre property holding a number of railroad-related and industrial buildings; the second is a vacant Franklin Avenue parcel bordering the post office parking lot.
Wendy DiAlesandro
Wendy DiAlesandro is a former Record Publishing Co. reporter and contributing writer for The Portager.