A proposed subdivision on a 127-acre farm property in West Salem, referred to as Cherry Hill, could include between 730 and 930 housing units. The project is still in the discovery phase, with much about the project subject to change before it breaks ground.
Development Plans
The property includes 63 acres currently zoned for mixed-use and 64 zoned for single-family residential. Ryan O’Brien, a consultant with Planning & Land Design LLC, said during a presentation that the developer does not plan on utilizing the full 63 acres zoned for mixed-use as multifamily housing, which if fully used could bring the total number of units to about 2,000.
The edges of West Salem have some of the largest tracts of undeveloped rural land within city limits, and the project site is located in one of the city’s highest income areas. The project is already drawing concerns from some residents, whose questions and comments continually returned to topics such as the potential for increased traffic.
Craig Evans, a real estate agent and West Salem resident who is the Wyant family’s project manager locally, said during the meeting he agreed with residents’ concerns about development. The state is tens of thousands of housing units short, local and state officials say, and the city and state are seeking to incentivize the construction of new units.
Original reporting: Salem Reporter — read the source article.
