SUNBURY, Ohio — The Sunbury City Council held a public hearing Dec. 3 on a developer’s plan to remove an 8‑foot fence and replace it with enhanced landscaping along the southern boundary of The Meadows at Sunbury Apartments, an amendment to the project’s development plan.

The applicant said crews have tested the planting approach on a few lots, installing mounds, trees and shrubs in place of the previously proposed fence. "We've put a row in... we've worked with the neighbors," the applicant said, adding that crews will continue filling gaps and will replace any trees or shrubs that die.

Neighbors who spoke at the lectern praised some recent plantings but asked for denser screening and assurances about nighttime light intrusion. "I've had several concerns with the lighting of cars coming through shining in the back of our house and our rooms," said Larry B., a resident at 2432 Tomondent Drive. Linda Nunez, another nearby resident, said, "They have done a pretty good job filling in some trees but it's still pretty sparse down on that end there," and asked for more direct outreach from the developer to homeowners on that side.

City staff told council that the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the amendment contingent on the developer meeting with affected residents and producing a finalized planting plan. Staff also committed to take recent site photos and share them with council members before the next meeting so elected officials can see current field conditions.

Council closed the hearing after public comment; no final council vote on the amendment occurred during the hearing. The amendment is scheduled for a later formal consideration as part of a first reading of Ordinance 2025.38, described by staff at the meeting as "an ordinance amending the southern boundary landscape screening plan for the Meadows at Sunbury Apartments, located at 400 Overland Drive." The applicant indicated a willingness to continue on‑site adjustments and to maintain replacement obligations for plantings as the project progresses.

Next steps: staff will distribute site photos to council members and the formal ordinance will proceed through the council's reading and voting process at future meetings.