Oakwood OKs Sugar Camp site plan

At its meeting on April 23, the Oakwood City Commission unanimously approved the Sugar Camp site plan proposed by developers Oakwood Investment Group and the Versant Group.

The approved plan includes a mikveh building near the future site of Beth Abraham Synagogue, on OIG’s land, originally approved by the Oakwood Planning Commission for 1,000 square feet, which now may be increased “to a maximum of 1,200 square feet.”

OIG partners are Sandy Mendelson, Allan Rinzler and Lee Schear, all members of Beth Abraham Synagogue, who undertook the multiuse development of the site to provide a new home for Beth Abraham Synagogue.

Interior renovations began on the Beth Abraham building after the Oakwood City Commission granted OIG a permit to allow religious use at Sugar Camp in that building and the land for the mikveh.

All exterior alterations to the campus, including the construction of a mikveh building, were contingent on site plan approval.

“We are pleased that the process has finally reached closure and we are happy to finally be part of the Oakwood community,” said Schear, who also serves as treasurer of Beth Abraham Synagogue.

OIG plans to donate the land needed for the mikveh on the condition that it is overseen by a committee that is representative of the Jewish community.

In March, Schear stated that plans for the mikveh at Sugar Camp, which originally called for two ritual pools, have been scaled down to a 500-600 square-foot facility with one pool.

The council approved up to a 1,200 square-foot mikveh facility so an additional bath can be added at a later date.

© 2007 The Dayton Jewish Observer