Johnnycake Ridge Golf Course in Mentor eyed by another home developer

There is a new plan to redevelop Johnnycake Ridge Golf Course in Mentor into homes. It looks a lot like the old one.

In 2016, city officials approved rezoning the property — 40-plus acres at 7134 Mentor Ave.— from R-2 Single Family Residential to RVG Village Green. The project, proposed by Ryan Homes and property owner Frank DeMilta, initially called for 120 homes and later was revised to 108.

“The sale and subsequent development of that property did not proceed,” said Ronald M. Traub, Mentor’s economic and community development director. “A new development team wants to proceed, but with the provision for public versus private streets. Maintenance of the streets will be a city responsibility as they are for a majority of streets in the city, versus a homeowners association.”

The new developer is Tim Posar of Bedaos, LLC.

The total area of the project is roughly 48 acres. Under the RVG District regulations, the maximum number of dwelling units per acre is 2.5, and a minimum of 15 percent of the total project area is to be devoted to open space. The proposed number of lots are below the maximum allowed (120), and the amount of open space has increased from 24.30 acres to 25 acres (52 percent).

The proposed lot criteria has been modified as well. The average lot size has increased from 5,225 square feet to 6,100 square feet.

If the commission finds the changes to represent a substantial departure from the intent of the previously approved plan, the applicant must submit a new amendment application and follow the same procedures as for the original approval.

The city administration’s report to the commission contends that the new proposal is in “substantial conformance” with the earlier one and recommends various conditions to be addressed as part of the final subdivision plat submission.

City code requires a trip generation and traffic impact study by an engineer qualified and pre-approved by city staff. Access to the subdivision is planned via Mentor Avenue and Johnnycake Ridge Road.

This is at least the third housing proposal at the location. In 2000, the commission granted approval for Johnnycake Estates, with 24 sublots on about 24 acres east of the golf course. At the time, only one access point was included.

DeMilta and partner Dennis Gehrisch purchased the 55-year-old golf course from the Daniels family of Willoughby in 1989. In 2015, DeMilta said business had been down. For now, the course remains open.

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