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<br />Integra Homes Request <br />May 17, 2006 <br />Page 3 <br /> <br />Geographical Area. The subject area proposed for redevelopment currently consists of a <br />vacant commercial property (formerly operated as a small gas station), a single family <br />residential home and the subdivided back half of another single-family residential property. <br />(The applicants subdivided the property at 8060 Groveland Road in 2005.) Adjacent to the <br />northwest on County Road 10 is a residential property which already bears the R-3 <br />designation. To the southeast is a residential office property operating as “Johnson’s Trailer <br />Hitches.” The properties to the rear of the subject parcels are zoned R-1, single family <br />residential, and are developed as such. Properties on County Road 10 tend to be developed <br />to a greater intensity, whether commercial or residential, than in other parts of the <br />community. Directly south of the project area across County Road 10 are two townhome <br />developments—Knollwood Green and Northridge Villas. <br /> <br />Depreciation. The question of depreciation is a difficult one to answer with any quantifiable <br />certainty. Most studies which examine property value impacts of development generally find <br />there to be little correlation between a project and subsequent property values. While <br />property values may not depreciate as a result of the development, one can argue that <br />quality of life for the existing residents that would be adjacent to the project could be <br />negatively impacted. Strictly from the perspective of tax base and market values, the <br />rezoning would promote a substantial increase in market value at the site, increasing from <br />the present approximate valuation of $460,000 to an estimated $4,750,000—a ten-fold <br />increase in value. <br /> <br />Character of the Surrounding Area. The project area is located on County Road 10, the <br />City’s primary commercial corridor. Within two blocks of the site, one can find a variety of <br />commercial and residential uses. The residential uses include single family residential, <br />owner-occupied townhomes and multi-family rental dwellings. In the immediate area <br />however, the predominating land use is single-family residential. <br /> <br />Demonstrated Need for Such a Use. The applicant desires to rezone the property to allow <br />for owner-occupied townhomes. This type of housing is under-represented in the City’s <br />housing demographic. The primary housing option in the City is single family detached with <br />higher-density rental housing and manufactured homes second and third respectively. <br />Owner-occupied townhomes and senior housing (independent or assisted) units are less <br />prevalent. <br /> <br /> <br />Adverse Effects Summary <br /> <br />The requested rezoning to R-3, Medium density residential, would not be out of character for <br />the County Road 10 corridor and would not be inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan, <br />which anticipated a mix of housing and commercial / office development in this area. The <br />proposed development that would be permitted via the requested rezoning would increase <br />the market values of the subject area by a factor of ten—from $460,000 to $4,750,000. <br />While enhanced market value is desirable, the Commission needs to determine if the <br />potential density allowed would be too intensive for the subject area, which is primarily lower <br />density residential. The applicant feel this type of housing is in demand and would be a <br />positive complement to the City’s housing stock. <br />