2001.09.26 PC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Planning Commission Meeting September 26, 2001- page 2 noted by Elliot, should 130th be extended to the east, the road south into their development would be in compliance. Further, there would be a secondary means of access for emergency vehicles in the southwest corner of the development. The City's Fire Chief has reviewed the access and recommended approval. Elliot asked the Planning Commission to consider allowing the emergency access road to be gravel instead of bituminous as required in the draft resolution for the reason that gravel would be low visibility and blend in better with its surroundings. The Community Development Director said it would need to be discussed with the Fire Chief. Schumann felt the main concern is that the road remains in good, visible condition all year, and Kleissler said gravel is hard to plow and maintain. The homes were proposed to be located in the center part of the site, which is mostly open land, to minimizes the impacts of large stands of significant trees. Elliot explained that all lots would be custom graded and the draft resolution required a survey be submitted with each building application showing the grading contours and tree preservation/natural areas. Elliot said there would be a homeowner's restriction requiring approximately 50% of the lot be left in its natural state, and that, with the addition of the green/open space corridor surrounding the site, would result in a buffer of approximately 300' behind the homes. The continuous corridor encircling the development would contain a private trail for the use of the residents in the development. Schumann opened the public hearing. Judy Fluger, 6570 125th Street North, questioned the buffer between her lot and the proposed lot that would be adjoining the north side of her property (lot 6). Fluger was concerned that the buffer would be gone because of the proposed location of the septic system. Fluger also questioned the ownership and maintenance of the proposed trail, and was told by the developers it would be owned and maintained by the homeowner's association. Jean Melancon, 6480 125th Street, representing family and neighbors, questioned the ownership of Outlot C, which was shown to surround the development. The developers said it would remain a permanent conservation easement, owned jointly by the homeowners in Hidden Hills, and the taxes on the property would be the responsibility of those homeowners. Melancon questioned what would prevent others from using the private trail and asked that it somehow be restricted to the use of the homeowners in Hidden Hills. Another concern of Melancon's was the use and look of pole buildings that may be constructed on the lots, saying the zoning ordinance allows 2 additional outbuildings with a total of 2,050 square feet. Schumann explained that the ordinance also requires that they resemble the principle building on the lot, and the ordinance and homeowner's association could have some control over the use of the building. Melancon asked how the builders were selected and if a method was proposed that would protect the property values of the existing homes in the area. Pruden said the lots alone would sell for