NORTH ROYALTON, Ohio — On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, the North Royalton Planning Commission approved a sketch plan by Grey Fox Capital for the construction of 29 luxury single-family homes valued at over $500,000 on 15.5 acres of land where the Albion Elementary School once stood. Named The Retreat at Albion Park, this project became a further step in transforming the city’s outdated school infrastructure but sparked a wave of protests among local residents who fear that the new development will exacerbate chronic flooding issues. In a city balancing growth and preserving suburban tranquility, the decision became a litmus test for community priorities.
The approved sketch plan, presented at the June 11 meeting, envisions the creation of an exclusive neighborhood with a single entrance from Albion Road, east of York Road. The homes, which, according to the developer, will be “modern but harmonious with North Royalton’s character,” will be situated on parcels surrounded by two new stormwater retention ponds and preserved forests along the northern boundary. Grey Fox Capital, acting through its entity GreyFoxRE LLC, purchased the property from the North Royalton City Schools district for $575,000 after Albion School, along with Royal View and Valley Vista, was replaced in 2021 by a new elementary school on State Road. The rezoning from public to residential, approved by the city council in a narrow 4-3 vote in April 2025, opened the way for this project but not without controversy.
Residents of Albion Road and neighboring streets such as Chesapeake Drive have battled flooding caused by three streams flowing through the area for years. “Every spring, the water reaches my foundation,” said Edward Yasek, a resident of Albion Road, at a hearing in March. “These streams flood my yard three times a year.” Shawn Magpoc, whose basement is unusable due to chronic flooding, expressed despair: “Adding 29 homes, and I’m doomed.” Nancy Wright added that, besides flooding, an additional 60–80 cars from new residents would strain an already congested road network.
Grey Fox, led by Land Acquisition Director Jake Shields, insists that the project addresses these concerns. At the hearings, Shields promised to preserve 52% of the property as open space, including forests and wetlands, and to design a stormwater pond exceeding municipal code requirements. “We want to be good neighbors,” he stated, “and our engineers are working to reduce runoff for everyone.” The plan also includes a pedestrian trail through the forests and a boardwalk over the streams, which Shields said would add recreational value for the community. However, the Planning Commission, headed by Frank Castrilliari, expressed skepticism, requesting Grey Fox reduce the number of parcels and review the stormwater management system before submitting for preliminary approval.
Mayor Larry Antoskievic took it a step further, inviting Shields to walk the site to visually assess the flooding issues. “It’s not just about what you’re building, but where the water flows,” Antoskievic emphasized, promising that the city would closely monitor the project’s impact on neighbors. According to sources at City Hall, Antoskievic also reached out to West Creek Conservancy to suggest purchasing the land for a park, but the organization was unable to gather the necessary funds. Council member Marie Gorzancz, who voted against the rezoning, argued that a park would be a better solution for a neighborhood already struggling with stormwater problems below—the downstream areas.
This project is part of a broader trend in North Royalton where old school parcels are being repurposed for residential development. For example, the Planning Commission recently approved Liberty Development’s proposal to build 17 homes on the site of the former Valley Vista school, and the city has repurposed part of Royal View into a senior center. However, The Retreat at Albion Park stands out due to its value and scale, promising to attract affluent buyers to the suburb of 30,000 residents, proud of its peaceful character and green spaces.
According to the Ohio Department of Development, North Royalton is experiencing a housing boom, with a 15% increase in building permits issued in 2024 compared to the previous decade. But for residents like Ken Fiershtain, who has seen floodwaters inundate Chesapeake Drive during storms, this growth threatens to worsen quality of life. “Twenty-nine homes is too many,” he said at the hearing. “We love our city, but we don’t want to drown in it.”
While Grey Fox prepares a revised plan and city engineers examine hydrological reports, the fate of The Retreat at Albion Park hangs in the balance. For North Royalton, which stands at the crossroads between preserving its heritage and seeking growth, this decision will shape not only the appearance of Albion Road but also how the community balances progress with protecting its residents. In a city where storm streams can turn into raging rivers, the answer will require more than promises—it will demand action.
