Former Hithergreen Center center for new neighborhood debate

The former Hithergreen Center in Washington Twp. is the center for a new debate, years after residents moved to stop the old senior center from becoming a nursing home.

This time, residents are speaking up about a proposed housing development that could occupy the land and take away much of the existing green space on the property that is used by many in the community as a park.

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“This has been our park, because we don’t have any other green space,” said Brian Feldmeyer, who lives in the area of the former Hithergreen Center.

Developer Peebles Homes bought the land and wants to build 35 new homes on the property, but they will have to apply to have the land rezoned.

Feldmeyer isn’t opposed to homes being built in the neighborhood, but he is concerned about how many would be constructed on the property.

“I don’t have any problem with the homes being built here, but it just needs to not be so compact,” Feldmeyer said.  “If you’re going to make them that compact, give us a larger green space that will truly be a park.”

Tom Peebles with Sugarcreek Twp.-based Peebles Homes said he met with Feldmeyer and others in the neighborhood Tuesday and said he plans to leave 3-5 acres for their green space.

Peebles plans to file a zoning appeal for the property within 60 days and the township says the redevelopment plan is in its early stages.

There will be additional opportunities to voice their opinions if a zoning appeal is filed.

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