City Council Minutes 1992 10 06 - Laserfiche WebLink

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been used as open space by Louisville residents. He stated that they checked with the City on their plans on parks and acquisition of open space and this was not part of their plan. Since 1977, it had been shown as residential with zoning approved for a minimum of 12,000 sq. ft. lots. Sheffield stated that they then contacted Swede Johnson, who has legal emphasis on land use, to review the property for us. Johnson felt strongly that due to the following events, the property could legally be developed, if it met the legal and City guidelines: The annexation agreement, which in 1977, created a contract between the City and the developer. It called for the developer to do the following; dedicate to the City a minimum of 12% of the land, give valuable water rights to the City, pay over $5,000.00 in fees for annexation and zoning, and oversize the utility lines in anticipation of construction. He stated that these requirements have been completed and the City agreed to approve home sites, if the property guidelines. They felt they could rely on this agreement and decided to pursue this residential area for homesites. They believed that they could rely on the City's zoning ordinance and that the City had shown on the comprehensive plan that homes could be built. So, they proceeded to complete the paperwork and all of the information that has resulted in the plat before Council tonight. The density of the homesites is approximately 2.7 dwelling units per acre for the 68 sites. The lot sizes average over 14,000 sq. ft. or approximately 1/3 acre. Voluntarily, Sheffield and Mr. Pitcher went door to door and talked to several of the neighbors that were directly affected. They participated in the neighborhood meeting at the elementary school. They arranged the lots to mitigate the effect on existing homeowners, trying to get proper set-backs, so that there would not be homes back to back. There is approximately one (1) Sheffield home for every two (2) of those in the existing community on the plat. They lowered the density by what could have been done by over 20%, which is about 6 - 7 homesites, to allow for a better contour in the use of the ground, so it would look better from South Boulder Road, it would appeal to the neighboring home owners, and it would allow the streets to flow better for drainage and other infrastructure purposes. He stated that off of the top of the hill the grading will be reduced approximately 20 ft., so that the homeowners to the west will not feel the massing effects of homes right in their backyard. In addition, they've tried to lengthen the lot lines to mitigate that effect. The lots are deep enough, some of them 150 ft., which the higher homes will not be looking down into neighbors backyards, or decks, or patios. He stated that they've tried to site the homes, so that the upper will not affect the lower. The sizes of the homes that they anticipate building will not overwhelm the neighbors by looking like wall to wall houses. He commented that they met with the Planning Commission in three (3) comprehensive meetings making changes and compromises in trying to address the concerns of the Commission, the citizens, and adjacent homeowners. He stated that they've agreed to the conditions (SEE ATTACHED), as set forth by the Planning Commission. 13