NORTH OLMSTED, Ohio — Not long after Sommers Real Estate Group announced its intention to build new townhomes on six acres behind the Biddulph House, residents of Butternut Ridge Road came forward to oppose the project.

The matter was slated for discussion at a recently planned North Olmsted Planning Commission meeting that was canceled.

The zoning of the land in question was on the Planning Commission agenda.

“I think the applicant wanted to submit some more documentation and requested that the matter be tabled to either a future meeting in November or the regularly scheduled December meeting,” said North Olmsted Director of Economic and Community Development Max Upton.

“To be clear, when someone submits an application or intends to submit an application, the city has the responsibility to facilitate the process, whether we like or hate a project.

“So that’s what’s going on right now. They’re going through the process.”

Considering that the development involves the area’s historic district, in which Upton said a small portion of the project is located, the proposal is subject to specific regulations and design guidelines.

Butternut Ridge Road resident Bob Sharp is one of many residents unhappy with the proposal.

“The residents of this area and beyond want this historical district protected,” he said.

“The city’s response has been to state only a small portion of the proposed development is within the 300-foot historical district boundary.

“This is the problem — none should be in the district. Also, the portion outside of the 300-foot area still impacts the district. Their argument is very thin.”

The longtime resident stressed that the city should be protecting the district.

“Instead, it has caused residents to activate our homeowners group, post signs and collect petition signatures in our defense,” he said.

“Residents are angry, and our area response opposing this is overwhelming.

“The city should reverse course on supporting this.

“To be fair, City Council has the final vote on any zoning change. We hope we can count on them to help protect this irreplaceable part of the city.”

The Biddulph House in North Olmsted. John Benson/cleveland.com

The entrance to the proposed complex would be east of the Biddulph House and would require a lot split.

The project would include between 40 and 50 units with a target price point in the mid-$400,000s and up.

Upton previously told cleveland.com that was the appropriate density to allow for green space.

As for the community rallying against the development, he stressed that it’s an important part of the process.

“The residents are giving us feedback, which we love,” Upton said.

“Based upon my experience, residents have a lot of legitimate concerns about the impact that new housing will have on existing infrastructure.

“That’s something that’s not unique to this project.”

Based in Chardon, the family-owned real estate development and consulting firm has also committed to preserving and restoring the 100-year-old house as part of the overall development.

“In our staff reports, we did indicate and recommended to the Planning Commission that if the commission were inclined to give a positive recommendation, it should be conditioned on saving the Biddulph House,” Upton said.

“And to be clear, the applicant has not objected to that condition.”

Upton noted that the city has a “very rigorous process” in terms of the Planning Commission and the Landmarks Commission.

“The city is doing what we have to do, which is to facilitate the process,” he said.

“This is not by any means a done deal one way or the other.”

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