The London planning commission has recommended approval of a rezoning and preliminary development plan for Somerset Crossing, a proposed 55-and-older planned unit development off Lafayette Street and Betty Wilson Road, and the planning committee forwarded the recommendation to city council for consideration.

Why it matters: the project would convert a long-vacant field into a PUD with housing and some retail frontage, changing the parcel's zoning from its earlier commercial designation. The developer proposes single-unit, cottage-style homes restricted to residents age 55 and older, along with retail along Lafayette Street.

Details discussed: the planning commission voted 4–0 to recommend the rezoning and preliminary plan, and the committee asked for several stipulations before council action: engineering approval, a landscaping plan approved by the tree commission, and street lighting approval from Ohio Edison. During the committee report, a staff speaker summarized the project as "I think it's 289 units, it's 55 and older, single unit housing complex, so, kind of condo style, but single units not hooked together," and said retail is shown in the PUD along Lafayette Street.

Process and next steps: the planning committee voted 3–0 to forward the commission's recommendation to council; the item is expected to appear on a future council agenda with Mr. Stahl listed as the sponsor of the ordinance. Council members asked staff to ensure engineering and landscaping stipulations are met before final approval.

Public context: council members discussed the change in zoning history for the site and said they would review financial details and engineering approvals before final action. No final council vote on rezoning or the PUD was recorded at the meeting; the item will return for formal consideration.