82 homes coming to Monroe after council reverses vote, approves development
Two weeks after Monroe City Council rejected a major housing development — one city official said he was "caught off guard" by the vote — council approved development plans for the 82 single-family housing property called Townes at Monroe Crossings.
Two weeks ago, two of the five council members present voted against authorizing City Manager Larry Lester entering into an amended Planned Unit Development agreement with NVR Inc. for approximately 21 acres located at Roden Park Drive and Crossings Boulevard.
But on Tuesday night, with City Council member Michael Graves, who voted against the plans earlier, excused from the meeting, the legislation passed 5-1. Council member Tom Hagedorn, who voted "no" two weeks ago, again rejected the ordinance.
Hagedorn has said he didn't feel the development was "a good fit for the area" and said residents have expressed concerns about excessive traffic in that area.
Several people representing NVR left council chambers after the ordinance passed.
Two weeks ago, Monroe's Director of Development Tom Smith said he was "caught off guard" by the no votes.
The plans were passed 4-1 late last year by the Planning Commission.
Mayor Keith Funk has said he wants to see "a successful project there."
Council OKs design services for $93K
Council also approved a resolution authorizing Lester to enter into a professional services agreement between the city and Fishbeck for the Bicentennial Commons Park Loop Trail and the Great Miami River Trail extension.
The agreement calls to pay Fishbeck $93,400 for design services related to the Bicentennial Commons Park multi-use loop trail project.
Public Works Director Gary Morton said the proposed trail will follow the existing perimeter loop trail alignment and start to connect to the Great Miami River Trail system.
The city is pursuing funding through ODOT's new Pedestrian & Bicycle Special Solicitation program, launched in early 2025, for two significant trail projects: Bicentennial Commons Park Loop Trail and Great Miami River Trail extension that includes approximately two miles of new trail construction, city leaders said.
The proposed timeline indicates completion of design services within 10 months of notice to proceed, with 50% plans due June 1, 2025 and 100% plans due Nov. 1, 2025.
Morton said once the trail is complete it will stretch from Sidney to Cincinnati. He believes Monroe will provide the "final piece" to that connection.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Bloomberg
4 hours ago
- Bloomberg
China Urged by Think Tanks to Strengthen Yuan Amid Trade Tension
A growing chorus of economists and former officials in the US and Europe is urging Beijing to strengthen the yuan, warning that prolonged undervaluation may escalate trade tensions and distort China's growth model. At least three researchers have issued studies or commentaries at think tanks in the past month, including the US-based Council on Foreign Relations, spotlighting the yuan's suppressed real value and its role in supporting China's export competitiveness.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Tributes paid to engineer who shaped growth of North East town
Tributes have been paid to a long-serving council officer who played a 'central role' in shaping a North East town's growth and modernisation. Terry Ratcliffe, who served as borough engineer for Middlesbrough from 1972 until the abolition of Cleveland County Council in 1996, died recently at the age of 87. During his career, Mr Ratcliffe helped deliver major projects including the development of Coulby Newham and Hemlington, new retail areas, and pollution reduction schemes for the River Tees. He was also responsible for two multistorey car parks, the construction of Middlesbrough Bus Station, and the town's cycleway system. Terry Ratcliffe (Image: Middlesbrough Council) Brian Glover, former head of transport and design at Middlesbrough Council, said: "Terry played an absolutely central role in all of these initiatives, offering his management and engineering expertise to all these projects. "He was an excellent chief officer and a very good boss who was well respected by staff and members alike, and he had a wicked sense of humour." A keen cyclist, Mr Ratcliffe often built his own bikes and championed the development of cycling infrastructure across the town. Mr Glover said: "Terry was rightly very proud of his beloved cycleway system throughout the borough which was very innovative for the day. "He was especially proud of the joint cycle and pedestrian crossing on Keith Road which was a national first and opened by the then transport minister." Mike Robinson, former chief executive of Middlesbrough Council and a fellow engineer, said: "My abiding memory of Terry is that he was totally unflappable and had a fantastic sense of humour. "He always greeted people with a smile, even when he was telling you off." Mr Ratcliffe is survived by his wife Judith, their son, and two daughters. READ MORE: Gin & cheese train with countryside views returns to Durham Dales this summer Durham restaurant offers set menu for parents during school holidays Public notice: A66 and A19 to close for overnight and weekend works A celebration of his life will be held at St Bede's Chapel in Teesside Crematorium at 11am on Thursday, August 14. Donations in lieu of flowers are requested for Cycling UK. A collection box will be available following the service, and donations can also be made online at www.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Canadian dollar steadies as BoC minutes reveal split on rate outlook
By Fergal Smith TORONTO (Reuters) -The Canadian dollar was barely changed against its U.S. counterpart on Wednesday, as oil prices fell and minutes from the Bank of Canada's latest policy decision showed that policymakers were split on the need for additional interest rate cuts. The loonie was trading nearly unchanged at 1.3770 per U.S. dollar, or 72.62 U.S. cents, after moving in a range of 1.3752 to 1.3782. Deliberations of the Bank of Canada's Governing Council in July, when the benchmark rate was left unchanged at 2.75%, showed that the central bank was divided on how much monetary policy could aid growth under current economic conditions that are shaped by U.S. tariffs. "There's a split in the Governing Council, with some members believing that rates may not need to fall further," Benjamin Reitzes, Canadian rates & macro strategist at BMO Capital Markets, said in a note. "Other members highlighted that persistent slack and ongoing labour market softness could warrant further easing." Investors see a 33% chance that the BoC eases at the next policy decision on September 17. That's up from 17% at the start of the month, after expectations rose that the Federal Reserve would resume its easing campaign and the release of weaker-than-expected domestic jobs data. The price of oil settled 0.8% lower at $62.65 a barrel after U.S. crude supply unexpectedly rose. Oil is one of Canada's major exports. In a potential blow to Canada's economy, Air Canada is cancelling flights from Thursday. The country's largest carrier is winding down service ahead of a looming Saturday strike by its more than 10,000 flight attendants. Canadian bond yields moved lower across the curve, tracking moves in U.S. Treasuries. The 10-year was down 4.7 basis points at 3.388%. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
