Two proposed phases of the Villas by Barone subdivision would add 61 homes off Villa Fina Drive in Ontario, continuing a development whose planning history stretches back two decades.
The Ontario Planning Board has determined that Sections 3 and 4 would not have a significant adverse environmental impact, according to an Oct. 28 state Department of Environmental Conservation notice. The finding means an environmental impact statement is not required for those phases.
The project is south of Ridge Road and west of LaFrank Drive. Both phases include dedicated roads and utilities along with the housing.
Section 3 calls for 18 single-family patio homes and 20 single-family townhouse units, for a total of 38 homes. Section 4 would add another 23 single-family patio homes. Together, the phases would contain 41 patio homes and 20 townhouse units.
Review extends earlier phases
Barone Land Development Inc. is the applicant for Section 3. The Planning Board carried the application into October at the developer’s request, and its Oct. 14 agenda listed a continued hearing on the 38-home proposal.
The subsequent environmental notice covers both Sections 3 and 4. The finding addresses the environmental effects of those phases; subdivision and site plan approvals are separate development decisions.
The subdivision’s earlier phases involved separate reviews and infrastructure arrangements. During a February 2021 presentation, the developer’s engineer said the original preliminary subdivision had been approved in 2006.
The Section 2 proposal discussed at that time included 11 single-family homes and 12 townhouse units in two buildings. The engineer said that phase would connect to Southbrook Estates Section 2.
Utilities and roads are part of development
Section 2 received final site plan approval in May 2023, according to a later Town Board resolution. Its conditions included easements for drainage, water and sewer service and temporary turnaround access.
On Feb. 27, 2025, the Town Board voted 4-0, with one member absent, to authorize acceptance and execution of Section 2 storm sewer, sanitary sewer, drainage and water-main easements.
The town had also established a Villas by Barone lighting district in 2018. At that hearing, officials described street lighting throughout the subdivision, with costs shared by property owners within the district.
Those earlier actions show how the subdivision has developed through successive housing, utility and municipal service decisions. The new environmental review addresses the next two proposed sections together.
Ontario is reviewing other housing proposals nearby as well. The Planning Board’s Oct. 14 agenda separately listed an application for 28 rental townhomes at 2152 Ridge Road. That application is distinct from the 61 homes in the Villas proposal.
Planning Board Chairman Stephen Leaty is the town’s contact for the Villas environmental notice. The Planning Board office is at 1850 Ridge Road and can be reached at 315-524-7170.
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