Fairfield Place DEIS meeting September 16

Citizens concerned with the proposed Fairfield Place housing will have a chance to sound off to Parma town officials Tuesday, September 16 at 7 p.m. at the Parma Town Hall. The town will hold a public hearing to get reactions to the project's draft environmental impact statement.

The proposed residential development calls for building apartments, town homes, patio homes, senior housing and single family homes on a 140 acre site located on the west side of Manitou Road, just north of Ridge Road West. To begin the project, the area would need to be rezoned from Rural Residential to Medium Density with the option of town home development.

This project has caused a major concern for many residents including Ed Przybycien who has lived on Manitou Road for 64 years. Przybycien said he is seriously concerned about the impact this development would have on traffic for Manitou Road and what would need to be put in place to allow for proper drainage on the site.

"This seems like a major departure from the Master Plan that the town has," said Przybycien. "I don't see how this project will benefit Parma."

Tina Brown, a Manitou Road resident, said she felt the need to take action when she saw the plan. "Basically I got interested because it was going to be right in my backyard," said Brown. "Rezoning for this site is like saying to developers 'come on in - we're open to sprawl.' "

Brown has been leading a group against rezoning and will be running on the Democratic ticket against Rick Lemcke in the upcoming election. Brown said the group has 1,200 signatures on their petition against the rezoning and she anticipates a large turnout at the upcoming meeting.

Lemcke said he welcomes interested residents to share their thoughts at the September 16 meeting. Lemcke said there are some misconceptions regarding the project. He said, contrary to some rumors, the project does not call for low-income housing, or for rezoning to High Density.

"We welcome input," said Lemcke. "I am like any good public servant should be. I am not going to make any decisions until I have heard all sides, and know what the people think. This will probably take multiple meetings."