SUBJECT:
Title
PUBLIC HEARING: An Ordinance of the Town Council of the Town of Erie Approving Amendment No. 7 to the Vista Ridge Development Plan
Body
DEPARTMENT: Planning & Development
Department
PRESENTER(S): Harry Brennan, Senior Planner
First Name Last Name, Title
TIME ESTIMATE: 30 minutes
only required for non-consent items
POLICY ISSUES:
This proposed amendment will allow multifamily residential into a commercially designated area in the Vista Ridge Planned Development. The introduction of higher density housing into the site supports the Town’s vision for greater diversity of housing types along transit corridors. Additionally, the location of the housing into a commercial area along a future transit line on Highway 7 emphasizes opportunity for mixed-use, transit-supportive development.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Approve the Ordinance with Conditions. Staff finds the Vista Ridge Planned Development - Development Plan Amendment No. 7 complies with the Planned Development Approval Criteria and recommends the Town Council adopt Ordinance No. 009-2024 approving the request with the following condition of approval:
a. Prior to consideration by the Town Council, Applicant shall make all technical corrections to the Application as required by the Town.
End
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
The subject site is a component of the larger Vista Ridge development along Highway 7. The Vista Ridge development was annexed into the Town of Erie in 2000 and initially zoned to PD-Planned Development. The subject property was originally created through a Preliminary Plat for Filing No. 11 in May 2007, with the subsequent final plat approved in July 2007. The lots were placed in their current configuration through Filing No. 11, Block 1, Lot 5 Minor Subdivision in October 2008.
The proposed PD Amendment allows multifamily residential on a specific area within Planning Area 7-2, to be known as 7-2A (Lots 5B and 5C Vista Ridge, Block 1, Vista Ridge Filing 11). The proposed amendment limits density to 21 units per acre, allows buildings up to 45 feet in height, and sets parking requirements at 1.5 spaces per unit. The application went through two rounds of review and submittal; associated materials can be viewed here: <https://bit.ly/3w71iTb>.
The next steps for development of the subject site will include Site Plan and Minor Plat applications. The Site Plan is reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission, while the Minor Plat Amendment and Development Agreement (if required) will be reviewed by staff with final acceptance by the Town Council.
Planning Commission Recommendation:
On February 7, 2024, the Planning Commission unanimously recommended the Town Council approve the Vista Ridge Planned Development (PD) Zoning, Development Plan Amendment No. 7.
Public testimony was provided during the meeting. Concerns expressed included: potential drainage impacts to neighboring properties to the north; whether parking would be sufficient; and increased traffic. Some provided testimony in support of the project.
Town Council Continuation Update:
On March 12, 2024, the Town Council held a public hearing for this application. The Council heard the staff and applicant presentations, took public comment, and asked questions. The hearing was continued to May 14, 2024. Public comments and Town Council questions addressed the following topics:
• Drainage impacts to neighboring residences and development;
• Adequacy of sanitary sewer capacity;
• Relationship to soils, groundwater, and feasibility of below grade parking;
• Traffic generation and impacts;
• Metro District applicability & inclusion into existing HOAs; and
• Height of the proposed structure and impacts to the neighboring residences.
These issues are addressed in the Applicant’s Response to Concerns (attachment 4), the Staff Report (attachment 1), the Staff Presentation (attachment 2) and the Applicant Presentation (attachment 3).
COUNCIL PRIORITY(S) ADDRESSED:
ü Attractive Community Amenities
ü Engaged and Diverse Community
ü Well-Maintained Transportation Infrastructure
ü Small Town Feel
ü Safe and Healthy Community
ü Effective Governance
ü Fiscally Responsible
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Staff Report
2. Staff Presentation
3. Applicant Memo - Response to Concerns
4. Application Presentation
5. Planning Commission Resolution P24-02
6. Planning Commission Minutes 2.7.24
7. Ordinance No. 009-2024
8. Proposed PD-DP Amendment
9. Application and Written Narrative
10. Additional Application Materials
11. Neighborhood Meeting Summary
12. Notices