WHITEHOUSE – When Whitehouse Village Council meets on April 21 to consider rezoning 37.99 for a proposed 80-home subdivision, their task is not to determine lot widths or layouts, but whether the zoning makes sense, Law Director Kevin Heban advised during council’s April 7 meeting.
“You’re voting on the zoning change only,” Heban advised, as members held a second reading of ordinance 04-2026.
The proposed change for 11320 Archbold Whitehouse Rd. from S-1 Suburban to R-2 Residential attracted residents of nearby Oakbrook Drive, Waterville Street and Centerville Street, who shared concerns that Charlie Grass‘ plans for Country Meadows South will impact traffic, safety and the schools.
Craig Whitman questioned a drawing that he saw online, and speculated that Grass would need to ask for variances for several lots that he believes would be closer to an R-2 PUD zoning that was previously turned down.
“Have plans been submitted for approval?” asked Council Member Louann Artiaga.
Heban clarified that the drawings were just temporary, not final – and those would need to be approved by the Planning Commission and council. The rezoning is just the first step for the housing subdivision to come to fruition.
“While I’m mostly, personally against the development, I do recognize people want to move to Whitehouse for the better. I did six years and don’t regret it at all,” said Oakbrook Drive resident Mark O’Neil.
Both O’Neil and Whitman believe that adding 80 homes will add an estimated 160 cars that will increase traffic in and around the Oak Brook neighborhood. O’Neil suggested that the police step up patrols and the village look at adding speed bumps. He also questioned the impact on a school district that he believes is “approaching capacity.”
According to Anthony Wayne Local Schools Superintendent Kevin Herman, enrollment is actually down, from a district high of 4,631 in 2008-09 to 4,127 in the 2024-25 school year.
“Whitehouse is built for approximately 500 students, and we should be able to accommodate new students,” Herman said.
O’Neil also addressed Grass personally, suggesting that if someone from Artisan Built Homes had contacted neighbors initially to lay out his plans, that would “go a long way” in building relations and opening dialogue. Grass, who was at the meeting, did not comment.
During the meeting, council also:
-Congratulated the Anthony Wayne High School cheerleading team for winning the National Cheerleaders Association Game Day Championship – a first in school history – and the Ohio Association of Secondary School School Administrators state cheerleading competition.
-Discussed the Fallen Timbers Union Cemetery District report given by Council Member Larry Yunker. Two of the three district board members are new, and are picking up discussions on whether the contractors who take care of the five area cemeteries should be hired as full-time employees and how that would impact the budget.
-Heard that the Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance for a garage to be built at 6214 Cemetery Road.
-Set a Tuesday, April 14 Committee of the Whole meeting to discuss e-bikes, a sidewalk plan, a summer meeting schedule and a DORA – designated outdoor refreshment area.
-Congratulated the employees who were promoted during a March 31 ceremony. Police officers Les Case, Andy Kasack and Jeff Siebenaler were promoted to sergeant. In the fire department, Bryce Blair, Derek Francis and Jim Steers were promoted to lieutenant and Dustin Richardson to platoon chief. Public Works employee Jordan Connor was promoted to superintendent.
-Heard Fire Chief Jason Francis say that he is working to improve the department’s ISO rating through driver’s ed training for the department. ISO (Insurance Services Office) assigns ratings of 1 to 10, with 1 being the best, to indicate the quality of fire protection. Insurers us this score to calculate property insurance premiums. Whitehouse has a 3/3x rating.
-Approved an agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation to resurface the Whitehouse portion of S.R. 295, which will be redone between the river and the airport. Whitehouse will not pay for any of the work.
-Agreed to pay Kleinfelder an additional $11,400 for inspection services on infrastructure for Whitehouse Square Townhomes. The village will be reimbursed for the total cost of $39,400 for the work.
-Heard resident Jeff Heaney ask about the safety of track athletes running along Weckerly Road, which is slated for a multi-use path in a few years.
-Listened to Artiaga ask about plans for making the playground at Whitehouse Park accessible, and whether a committee that includes community members should be engaged to look at updating the parks master plan. Council agreed to add questions about the park into an upcoming survey.
