Housing project gets recommendation in Weirton
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WEIRTON -- A planned housing development received approval for a variance from the Weirton Planning Commission on Wednesday, allowing construction of three single-family homes to move forward.
Yiğit Arnaz of Locust Development LLC requested a subdivision variance for reduced minimum lot frontage for the residential project on Locust Street.
Planning and Development Director Mark Miller noted that only one of the three planned homes does not meet the city’s frontage requirement, resulting in the need for the variance.
"This is a minor subdivision," Miller said.
Each of the three homes would feature approximately 1,200 square feet of living space and an approximately 300-square-foot garage. Company officials said the plan is to build all three homes concurrently, with construction expected to take about 11 months once work begins.
Several Locust Street residents attended Wednesday’s meeting, expressing concern over what they described as a lack of information about the project. Some said they initially believed apartment buildings were planned, while others voiced concerns about the loss of neighborhood green space.
Residents also said they found little information about the developer, noting they believed the company had been in operation for only a few months.
Arnaz said that while Locust Development LLC is relatively new, it is part of a larger corporation with projects around the world. The firm shares an address with ADO Industries, a mining and manufacturing company.
"We are an international company that has run for 70 years," Arnaz said, explaining that while this is the company’s first project in the Northern Panhandle, it has completed other projects in West Virginia over the past four years.
Miller confirmed the city has been in discussions with Locust Development for well over a year regarding the project. Members of the Planning Commission also noted it is common practice for developers to form a limited liability company, or LLC, for a single project.
Planning Commission member Anthony Capp said that if not for the reduced frontage on one lot, the proposal would not have required Planning Commission review. He also reassured residents that the project must undergo numerous reviews before construction can begin.
"There are ordinances in place for a reason," Capp said.
Company officials said they intend to maintain open communication with the neighborhood and city officials throughout the project.