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Projects Eyes Its Next Step |
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Friday, 26 June 2009 |
By KATIE YANTIS
Staff Writer
ST. MARYS — Plans for a major development on the south side of the lake were discussed at the St. Marys Township meeting Tuesday night.
Those behind the plan are looking at plans and moving forward with development with the approval of zoning changes by the township trustees. The development came about from a conversation between Craig and Sheila Hirschfeld and the township.
“The owners of Coldwell Bank South Shore had another development that they worked on and for some reason or another it didn’t fall into place,” Coldwell Banker South Shore Realtor Darlene Lynskey said. “The township asked that we get C-2 Zoning and we did, this has been in the works for several years.”
Lynskey said the developer is Bill Edmonds of Land Concepts out of Mansfield.
“He has done several developments on Lake Erie and Hilton Head,” Lynskey said. “He does very high-end developments at a price that people can afford to bring their families to the lake.”
The development consists of two different areas, a public and private area that totals to about 100 acres. One area will be a public area that will be called Blue Heron Bay.
“It will be the public side, there will be duplex boat houses available, a restaurant along with some commercial stores and little shops, swimming pools, tennis courts — all that can be used by the public and the schools,” Lynskey said.
Lynskey also described the second portion, the Grand Lake Yacht Club, which will be private.
“It will be to the west of Schroeder Road,” Lynskey said.
“There will be a private restaurant for mostly the members of people who live out there, a conference center for weddings, receptions and meetings, there will also be a pool on that side for the members.”
Also available in the development will be boat rentals.
“There will be boats available for rental for someone that might want to rent for a week at the lake and they don’t have a boat to bring with them,” Lynskey said.
She also emphasized the environment that will surround the development.
“This development is stressing family rentals, it’s not going to be a place for spring break or a bunch of kids to come hang out,” Lynskey said. “Its very family oriented.”
Lynskey also said recent news on Grand Lake St. Marys dealing with the toxins will not impact the development.
“I have close contact with Craig Morton at the lake and he said really nothing has changed over the last few years, it is just becoming more known,” Lynskey said. “If people use common sense, take a shower when you get out, nothing has really changed.”
The development will also contribute to the local economy, Lynskey said.
“With the development, it will add at least 120 permanent jobs, plus all the construction jobs are going to go to local workers,” Lynskey said. “Local workers will be hired for everything. It’s going to add immensely to the taxes being brought into the city and school system.”
As the discussion continues, plans are moving forward and all involved are looking to the future.
“The next step will be for the township to go ahead, with no opposition, to approve it so we can start construction fairly quickly,” Lynskey said.
“We are hearing there is a little bit of opposition from people on the south side of the lake. Hopefully it will be passed with out a problem.”
She also said they will look in the near future to begin digging channels and pre-selling the units.
“Hopefully by this fall the channels will be started and we will get the infrastructure in place and have it ready to go,” Lynskey said. “We can start pre-selling the units and look at next spring (2010) to build the buildings.”
While there is some opposition to the project, there is also support and excitement behind it as well.
“It is very exciting, it’s going to be beautiful,” she said.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 15 July 2009 )
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