2003 Planning Commission Packets

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A�chitect�u�aI details nnd enhanced Innc�scapirtg contribute to a�i �pscate imnge for what ts stiti n mocierately sized house, ctosely spaced ta its neiglibo3: This retaNve(y small "raer�ia roar�" is tn �luce of tlie ln�ger "family roam" found in other new hous- iiig. Buf note the wixe cabinet, the granite colui- tertop wet-bar, and marbie farepiace. The dini�lg room may comma�id the centrnl iocation in the house with a cathedrat loft ceiiing. Entertniiling family and guests is often [he focal activity iii active adz�lt housing. IYtts cotrtrnttttify fit�iiities bttildittg is e�l3ottt 55,040 sc�ttctl•e feet it2 size, ni�d incltsdes an indoor poo1, n ballroom with a catering hifdien, ancI mnr�y sperial puipose rooms for exercise, hobbies, nncl meetings. for the active adult market. While this �F��n zncludes the kind of nature walk !. and enhanced landscaping also . : =rd in many family-oriented communi- ties, two other factors come into play for mature market develop- ments. One is the "com- muniry amenities" pack- age. Family-oriented com- munities may o�fer sume eoe lots and an outdoor swimming pool. Larger adutt-oriented communi.- ties, however, frequently offer very laxge, full fea- tured community facilities. The other key factor for the mature market is erea[ing a Iow mainte- nance or maintenance-free environment. This is often achieved by establishing the community as a condominium, rather than by seliing houses on fee-simple lots. Even if the homes axe single-family de- tached structures, it is the condominium associatian that is responsible far mowing ' the lawns, plowing the snow, and even maintaining the exteriors o£ the individual units. Each home has a delineated exteri- or area of "restricted use" whic�i looks and feels like a typical yard area for a detached home. Because of ehe maintenance impli- cations, condominium ownership format for detached houses can be very attractive tor ac�ive adult communit�es. Active adult communities have been nmbraced by jurisdictions a�ross [he cc�untry as a"good" form of residential cC�velopment. In some localiaes, develop- ers know that adult communities are the orily kind of development for which they can get approvaIs. The reasons for this are ehree-fold: I. Upsca7e ad�,�It hoitsing is very attrac- tive fiscally for the ma�nicipality. Privare communities of this type add no new enrollrnent to schools. The upscale price positioning adds to the tax base and annu- al tax revenues, but demands very little of the town treasury, particularly if street maintenance (and, in some locali[ies, even water and sewer services) are provid- ed by the private community, 2. Sociatty, families are nbte to stay together if there is an attractive alternative to grandma and grancipa moving out of the area. Long-time community leaders remain with the communiry. Of course, there can always be too much of a good thing. Localities that have weighted their demographics towards older age groups can, in the long term, create a constituen- cy that may not identify with schools or social need agendas. 3. 1'he typicai active adult devetopment featieres re7atively smnit lots or, 'tn eondo- minium situations, closely spaced PLANNING COMMISSIONERS JOURNAL / NIJMBER 51 ! SUMMLR 2003 �:��,�:'r� continued o�t pnRe20