ASHLAND — Ashland City Council on Tuesday voted to allow a developer to build a duplex on a triangular piece of property zoned only for single-family homes.
The decision to grant a nonconforming-use permit for the half-acre property came after a lengthy discussion spurred by neighbors who argued against it. The property is located at 1020 West Main Street.
The parcel is sandwiched between two residential areas. The north includes the backyards of homes along South Parkview Circle and the south side of the property, along Main Street, includes homes, some of which include duplexes.
The issue came before the city’s planning commission in April, when the property’s owner, Joe Grubbs, applied for a zone change. The change, R-A to R-L, would have allowed the construction of duplexes and other multi-family structures.
The planning commission, however, recommended Grubbs apply for a nonconforming use permit because the zone change would have been an example of spot zoning, which is “the singling out of a lot or small area for discriminatory or different treatment from surrounding land,” according to the Ohio Supreme Court.
Grubbs said he and his wife bought the property in 2022 so they could build a home there. When they found another home they liked better, they decided to sell it, he said to Adrian Findley, a developer who owns properties in Richland County.
Findley said he wants to improve the neighborhood and thought a modern-looking duplex would be a good fit for families who’d benefit from being within walking distance to Brookside Park.
He wants to build a duplex with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and 1,150 square-feet of space on each side. The duplex would also have a single-car garage for each side.
Findley said he does not have rental properties in Ashland County.
“But I do take good care of my properties and thought people would like a new and improved structure to improve their neighborhood,” he said.
Will Dean, a resident along South Parkview Circle who has lived in the neighborhood since 2000, said he and his wife oppose the construction of a duplex.
“It’s a quiet community. And we enjoy the quietness,” he said, adding he thinks a duplex might attract tenants that are in and out.
“If it’s a single-family house, then, you know, we don’t mind the kids … but we’re looking at a family that is stable and adds to the community,” Dean said.
Dean and several of his neighbors joined in the opposition to the project. Others said they oppose the duplex because of concerns over maintaining the property, the proximity of the structure to their backyards and to the road. Most of them said they’d support a single-family house.
At one point during the discussion council president Steve Workman said council would not vote on the issue.
“I don’t think we’ll be taking formal action this evening, given your concerns,” he said, addressing the audience.
When asked, Findley said building a single-family residence “would not be conducive” financially.
After a back-and-forth exchange lasting more than 35 minutes, councilwoman Angela Woodward made a motion that gave Findley the nonconforming use permit, which only allows the construction of a duplex there.
Councilman Dan Lawson seconded the motion. Then, council voted unanimously to approve.
Later in the meeting, Councilman Jason Chio said he voted in favor because of Ashland’s need for additional “new, nice places to live.”
“That’s something that I always weigh. I live in Ward 2, I love living in the city of Ashland. But when someone is willing to make an investment here, that’s something I always consider. Is it going to be good for the city overall?
“I just wanted to say that.”
