March 7, 2020

Mallory Herrmann
citydesk@lstribune.net

A new multi-family residential development has been recommended for approval by the planning commission – with conditions.

The Sequoia development, a maintenance-free cul-de-sac subdivision with 24 duplex units, is planned for NW Olive Street near the intersection at NW Orchard Drive. The Union Pacific rail line borders the site on the west.

Each unit would be approximately 1,500 square feet with a two-car garage and two parking spots in the driveway – twice the required number of parking spaces required by the unified development ordinance.

Initially proposed as a development of fourplexes totaling 36 units, concerns were raised about the density and the condition of the neighborhood’s roads. In order to build fourplexes, the developer had requested a rezoning – and that would have triggered a requirement for the developer to improve the roads beyond the scope of the development itself. Because duplexes are allowed within the current zoning, no such requirement would be triggered.

The original application was recommended for approval last summer, but the city council remanded the application back to the planning commission in order to further discuss the road improvements. But then the developer withdrew the application.

The planning commissioners agreed that while a large street improvement project shouldn’t be the burden of the applicant simply for developing the property, it is also unfair to leave the roads in the condition they’re in – especially when adding additional residential traffic.

Commissioner John Lovell said he thought the project was a good one but cited major concerns about the roads.

“Are we, as a city, to just sit and let roads become dilapidated and hope somebody wants to come in and develop it and fix it?” Lovell said.

Residents who spoke during the public comments portion of the hearing described roads that have no shoulders or curbs and are too narrow to accommodate traffic already.

“I think it’s going to be a big regret for the city,” Kathy McClintock commented, adding that she didn’t have a problem with the development itself and inviting commissioners and city staff to drive through the neighborhood sometime.

The commission ultimately voted unanimously in favor of the project, though with two conditions. The commissioners requested updated elevations and added a suggested requirement to include language regarding the landscaping and ground maintenance that the homeowners association would provide.

The project will go to the city council for final consideration.

Some of the commissioners also encouraged residents to contact their city council representatives for support on repairing the roads.

“Go get the city council and make them build you some roads,” Commission Chair Jason Norbury said as he closed the meeting.

All of the commissioners were present for the Feb. 27 meeting.