The Mount Vernon Municipal Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing this month to discuss the proposed mixed-use development of Arista Villas. The project, spanning nearly 40 acres on Vernonview Drive, includes plans for 46 single-family homes, 150 apartments, and 24 townhomes.
Clint M. Huhra of Arista Villages Mount Vernon, based in Baltimore, Maryland, emphasized the importance of addressing housing demands in the developer's application. He stated, "Recognizing the influx of residents from Columbus and other influencing factors, it's imperative to address the area's housing demands while preserving its rich history and allure. Additionally, our plan integrates existing traffic patterns and desired roundabouts outlined in the town's master plan, which will be gradually implemented in the coming years." This statement was included in the Municipal Planning Commission's meeting agenda for April 11.
According to the same agenda document, during its meeting at City Hall at 4 p.m., the planning commission will consider a zoning amendment request. The change would see the property's zoning status shift from R1 to Planned Neighborhood District.
The developer has proposed two-story single-family detached homes with a minimum floor area of 1,200 square feet. These lots would occupy approximately 19.1 acres of the property. The planned apartment units would each cover a minimum of 700 square feet and be housed within five three-story buildings with a maximum height limit of 35 feet. These structures would use up about 10.4 acres of the site. In addition to these dwellings, there are plans for four buildings housing 24 townhomes with a minimum floor area of 1,000 square feet each. These buildings would not exceed two stories or 30 feet in height and would cover around 5.2 acres of the site.
As per information contained in the Municipal Planning Commission's meeting agenda for April 11, a clubhouse and shared amenities area would occupy 1.7 acres of the site. The amenities space would include sports courts, a fenced pool area, and 19 parking stalls, two of which would be ADA compliant.
The Arista Villas site map indicates that the single-family homes and townhomes will have individual waste receptacles stored in their garages. In contrast, the apartment units will utilize dumpsters for trash collection.
