A 32 house subdivision on South Main Street is being considered at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting tonight (7PM, Council Chambers). The development, on the border with Durham, is being proposed by Linda D. Wilson and South Main Street Irrevocable Trust (owned by Ralph and Linda Wilson).
The proposal is being considered under the city's "clustered open space" regulations. These provide developers an incentive to develop a site plan which preserves a significant portion of the land as open space. The incentive is that the developer is allowed to build houses considerably closer together (clustered), and build more houses than would be permitted with a "standard" development.
The clustered open space zoning text has a number of technical requirements and aesthetic recommendations. The developer is asked to consider:
All of the information relating to the application is available on the Planning Department Website:
- Eliminating constant front yard setbacks to avoid monotony, provide for a variegated character of the neighborhood.
- Providing for scenic vista protection
- The provision of common driveways to reduce the amount of required site clearanceand regrading
6.1- South Main Street- Majestic Oaks Estates Subdivision- Staff Comments
6.1- South Main Street- Majestic Oaks Estates Subdivision- Subdivision Coversheet
6.1- South Main Street- Majestic Oaks Estates Subdivision- Existing Site Conditions Part 1
6.1- South Main Street- Majestic Oaks Estates Subdivision- Proposed Subdivision Part 1
6.1- South Main Street- Majestic Oaks Estates Subdivision- Proposed Subdivision Part 2
6.1- South Main Street- Majestic Oaks Estates Subdivision- Proposed Landscaping Part 1
6.1- South Main Street- Majestic Oaks Estates Subdivision- Proposed Landscaping Part 2
6.1- South Main Street- Majestic Oaks Estates Subdivision- Conventiional Subdivision Concept (Not Proposed)
6.1- South Main Street- Approved 2004 Majesic Oaks Subdivision- 25 Lots
The accompanying figure shows the proposed subdivision. I have colored in the house and garage (red), the driveway and road (grey), the wetlands (green), the detention ponds (blue), and the proposed open space (light green).
Planning and Zoning meets at 7:00, this application is the subject of a public hearing.
"The provision of common driveways to reduce the amount of required site clearanceand regrading"
ReplyDeleteThe blueprint shows three or four areas that have long driveways side by side. Shouldn't they be combined.? Save in development costs and the home owners can share winter plowing costs.
I counted 32 houses. I do not see any evidence at all of "clustering" the houses. The "open space" appears to be what is left over after all the houses are accomodated. Is there a sewer out there? I hope not because this design appears to offer all the characteristics of a continuing policy of suburban sprawl. Surely this plan will need to be much revised or will need to be denied.
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