Proposed special planning district at Center Road and Pearl Road moves on to detailed site plan stage

BRUNSWICK — Brunswick Planning Commission passed a motion to move the proposed special planning district at Center Road and Pearl Road to a detailed site plan during its meeting Thursday. It is an L-shaped piece of land, which would have retail space and apartments near both Center and Pearl roads. A roundabout would connect the two entrances, and there would be townhomes farther back on the property. It would also be attached to a nearby plaza on Pearl Road. Ian Jones from Mann Parsons Gray Architects said the new plan addresses feedback regarding traffic concerns. The plan now includes more lanes to exit the development and widened roads. "We get more opportunity to make sure cars when they're leaving this development, they can do so orderly, and they're not too congested," he said. The developer also has a traffic study for the property, which needs to be updated to fit changes to the plan. Jenny Zoldak, who filled in for City Engineer Matt Jones on Thursday, said the developer, not the taxpayer, would have to pay for any changes to the roadway to accommodate the development. "I think in general the outcome of the (original) traffic study was that the intersection and the public roadway can handle the development with these slight modifications to account for stacking and some left turn-, right turn-only lanes," she said. The proposal is also less dense than before, Ian Jones said. There are now 43 two-story townhomes rather than 49 three-story townhomes. The number of apartments also dropped from 245 to 239. As a result, there is more green space, including a playground and pickleball courts. Kevin Schemrich is the owner of the Diamond Event Center in the plaza that would connect to the proposed special planning district. He said he is in favor of the development coming to Brunswick. "I think this is much needed," he said. "This is going to bring better development in the future. Everybody was all about Cabela's or some bigger chain restaurants (coming to Brunswick). Those folks aren't going to come unless we show that we're forward thinking, and this is a very forward-thinking project." Residents attending Thursday's meeting expressed concerns like safety in relation to traffic, screening nearby residences and light and noise pollution. City officials encouraged residents to continue to provide input, so concerns can be addressed as the plan is developed. The developer will attend a planning commission meeting in the future for further discussions regarding the proposed project, and it will feature a public hearing. There are still many steps that need to be taken before the city could approve it. "I want to stress that and say we've been through this with other projects," Vice Mayor Nick Hanek said. "A lot of people that were here (for Market 42) were mad, and now that's changed as the project comes to shape. I can see it down the street, and I can see basically when I walk one foot from my house. This can work, and it can work for you positively and proactively." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.