Developer withdraws contentious proposal for multi-car garages near Newark’s Overlook housing development

Vista Residential Properties has officially withdrawn a controversial variance request to build multi-car garages at the Newark Trailhead Vista apartments, according to Newark Zoning Inspector George Carter.

Trailhead Vista made a zoning request to Newark’s Board of Zoning Appeals to build three parking garages with a 50-foot setback from nearby single-family homes, many of which are located in The Overlook, a housing development by D.R. Horton in Newark. The variance will no longer be on the agenda for the Sept. 24 meeting.

Carter did not cite a reason for Vista Residential Properties’ withdrawal of the variance request. Now, the developers are redeveloping plans to keep garages 100 feet from current residents homes.

“The best of my knowledge is that the original plan of the existing buildings will stay the same, and now they’re looking at relocating the garages,” Carter said.

Michael Maxson, a resident of The Overlook housing development, said he and other neighbors are cautiously optimistic about the decision. Multiple Overlook residents voiced their opposition to the proposed variance at the Aug. 27 Newark Board of Zoning Appeals meeting.

“I’m very proud of all of us,” Maxson said. “I’m proud of my neighbors for standing up to them and bringing all the facts.”

At the meeting, Overlook residents expressed concerns about how Vista Residential Properties’ initial plan could remove part of the treeline near the neighborhood. Even though plans for the garages will be redrawn, residents are noticing trees in their backyards coming down anyway.

“We’re not quite sure what the intentions are, or if they’re going to honor that suggestion of keeping the tree buffers,” Maxson said.

Carter said that the owner of the private property decided to take the trees down.

Stephen Layman, who is the president of the Newark Board of Zoning Appeals, recused himself from the hearing during the Aug. 27 meeting because he helped develop The Overlook community, and used to own part of the land that was initially rezoned for the new apartment development at W. Main Street and Thornwood Drive.

Carter did not give a reason why the private property owner removed the trees, and when reached for comment on Friday, Layman said the removal was likely related to trees that had fallen or had become dangerous to nearby property during recent storms.

This story was updated at 11:35 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 11 to correct information related to development of the property.

Maddie Luebkert writes for TheReportingProject.org , the nonprofit news organization of Denison University’s Journalism program, which is supported by generous donations from readers. Sign up for The Reporting Project newsletter here .

Luebkert is one of two Kirtley Mather Fellows at The Reporting Project. The fellowship is created in memory of Kirtley Mather , Denison University Class of 1909, with the mission of providing unique opportunities for students to engage in service for the common good.

Developer withdraws contentious proposal for multi-car garages near Newark’s Overlook housing development

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