COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Residents in a far east side neighborhood are worried about their future if a proposed development gets approved. And, for the first time in years, a developer is one step closer to making that happen. 

Safety and traffic are their biggest concerns. McNaughten Road is already heavily traveled and if a 296-unit apartment complex gets approved, neighbors said that traffic will be a nightmare. 

“There are many times when traffic can’t get through on McNaughten Road because it’s a two lane road. There are ditches on each side, you can’t pull your car over,” said Skip Dodson, who lives near McNaughten road. 

The complex would be built at 198 McNaughten Road, across the street from a fire station. McNaughten Road is also the primary access to the Mount Carmel East Trauma Center. 

“So, if you’ve got an emergency vehicle that’s coming up here (McNaughten Road) and trying to get through traffic, you’re in trouble,” said Dodson. 

One thing that was brought up was the tragic incident that occurred on Mcnaughten Road in 2019. 11-year-old Lizzie Robertson Rutland was killed in a hit-and-run crash as she was walking to her bus stop.

Dodson said the developer has revised the plan quite a bit to try and meet the community’s wishes. But, what the neighbors really want is single family owned housing. 

“The project, as it comes before us, it’s two parts. So, it would be a rezoning of the land right now because it needs to be residential,” said Jennifer Chamberlain, chair of the Far East Area Commission. 

The developer is also asking for a variance because they need to place the apartments closer to the road. Just last week, the development council voted in favor of the proposal. 

“We are highly concerned as an area commission about the safety on that road and whether or not that road can handle any more development,” said Chamberlain. 

However, the proposal now moves to city council. 

“One of the things I’m going to be requesting from city council is that a study be done that tells us what the capacity is and how many additional residential units can be supported on McNaughten Road,” said Dodson. 

Dodson said city council should do traffic and engineering studies before any decision is made. 

“If we can be shown that there is suitable traffic density or traffic infrastructure to support a particular development density, the community may be willing to make that compromise,” Dodson said.

According to officials, it will take some time before city council makes a decision. Each member needs to hear the proposal and then neighborhood groups will have the chance to voice their concerns. 

NBC4 did reach out to the developer for comment but did not hear back.