^ Man, there is someone who would never make it in Edmond...
I found some news stories on the Edmond Sun's website:
1)
http://www.edmondsun.com/siteSearch/apstor..._073173621.htmlPublished: March 14, 2006 05:36 pm
111-acre I-35 project gains zoning approval
Lisa Shearer
The Edmond Sun
EDMOND — Several east Edmond residents left disappointed Monday night after the Edmond City Council gave the go-ahead for a new 111-acre development along Interstate 35.
A site plan process still must come before the City Council at a future date, but it unanimously approved the rezoning plan for the odd-shaped property just north of Second Street and stretching at one point to Danforth on the east side of I-35.
The eastern-most boundary of the property will develop as single family housing and with no more than 4 homes per acre, said Randel Shadid, one of two attorneys representing Summit Development. The single family housing also serves as a buffer to existing homes in the Mountain View Park Addition.
“This land is now under one ownership, which allows us to do a little bit better planning,” Shadid said of the project.
Other plans call for about 8 acres of a gated townhome community adjacent to the single family tract with varying commercial and office structures possible for the front half along I-35.
However, Shadid said there is the potential for the “E-1” General Commercial tracts on the south side of the project to develop as apartments. The zoning granted Monday night does not allow for apartments, but if the developer decides upon that route, he will have to come back before the council and request another rezoning and present a site plan, Shadid said.
Several residents objected to the possibility of apartments on the heavily forested property, which contains about 40 acres of what’s known as “remnant forest.” That term means a stand of trees that potentially has not been cut or logged since before settlement of the Edmond area in the late 1800s.
“It’s in our financial best interest to have a tree preserve,” Shadid told the council.
In between the Planning Commission meeting and Monday’s public hearing, Shadid met with several neighbors of the proposed project and made agreements with them that included:
n Not more than four homes per acre, with Shadid noting due to the terrain it most likely will be closer to three homes an acre.
n The townhomes will not exceed two stories in height.
n A stockade fence will separate the existing housing addition from the one proposed by Summit.
n A forester will be hired by Summit to help it develop a tree preservation plan and do a tree study of the property.
n And before any commercial site plan is brought to the council, a traffic study will be provided.
Traffic was cited as a concern by residents and is one reason why a traffic signal on Second Street will be installed at the developer’s expense to help alleviate safety concerns expressed by neighboring Life Church and Oklahoma Christian Schools.
Mike Buckmaster said he believes the proposed access to Danforth “is going to cause major problems.”
Because Summit does not own the property on the north end of the project next to Danforth except for a small sliver, the best access plan to Danforth cannot be achieved, Shadid said.
Bruce Carpenter, another resident in the area since 1979, said he and his family moved to their location for the obvious reasons of wildlife, trees and tranquility.
“Now comes along a project like this,” he said. “What protection do you have? Now it seems like you can do darn near anything. Zoning doesn’t mean anything anymore in Edmond.”
Shadid said no one should get “hung up” on the apartments issue because that is not a done deal. Ward 2 Councilor Paula Sanford pointed out that under the current “E-2” open display zoning on one portion of the land apartments already were allowed.
With the zoning changes approved Monday night, it was actually a downgrading of what can go there without further amendments to the plan, Shadid said.
Mayor Saundra Naifeh said while she was voting for the plan amendment and rezonings, when it comes time to discuss the site plan she most likely will not support apartments at the site.
(Lisa Shearer may be reached via e-mail at lshearer@edmondsun.com.)
2)
http://www.edmondsun.com/siteSearch/apstor..._053183347.htmlPublished: February 22, 2006 06:33 pm
Neighbors question 111-acre project
LISA SHEARER
The Edmond Sun
Neighboring residents were unsure of their support of a proposed 111-acre development along Interstate 35 but came to the Edmond Planning Commission with plenty of questions.
Summit Development proposes a planned unit development master plan that will include single family homes, high-end condominiums, commercial and office projects. The project is north of East Second Street and south of Danforth on the east side of I-35. It will abut the Mountain View and Brook Forest additions.
The Planning Commission voted 3-1 for both items with Elizabeth Waner casting the only no vote. Commissioner Barry K. Moore was absent.
Shawn Thompson owns property in Mountain View and brought questions about the proposed density of the project.
“We as land owners have received very little information about traffic, green areas and parking,” Thompson said.
He also questioned the need for the C-3 multi-family zoning proposed for the center of the long, vertical project.
Frank Pearce, who applied last year to subdivide a 5-acre tract in Mountain View for two homes, also said he is concerned about the quickness of the application without dialogue with the residents. He urged the Planning Commission to postpone the vote on the master plan amendment and the rezoning until after the city completes its Edmond Plan III update and the residents talk with the developers.
“I’m not necessarily in favor of it or opposed to it,” Pearce said.
Ronnie Williams, an Edmond Neighborhood Alliance representative, said he appreciates the buffering of the existing homes with more single family homes, but he questioned the potential for traffic problems at Danforth and I-35.
Attorney Randel Shadid, representing Summit Development, tried to reassure residents that the terrain of the property will not allow for the maximum density of six homes per acre.
He said he could not commit to a number of homes on an acre, but did agree to meet privately with all residents who are concerned before the March 13 City Council hearing on the issues.
Planning Commission member Suzy Thrash said she was concerned about the number of apartments proposed on the west side of the project.
Shadid responded that some of the commercial zoning could develop instead as upscale office buildings, but that it was too early in the process to know.
Attorney Todd McKinnis, also representing the developers, said it’s standard practice for developers to seek the highest density zoning possible to give them more flexibility in designing the project.
He also tried to allay fears about traffic snarls by saying the developers plan a five-lane drive to come out near the Oklahoma Christian Schools and Life Church sites with a traffic light that could improve safety there.
Dan Thompson, an 11th-grader at Bishop McGuinness High School was in attendance with the Edmond Youth Council.
This select group of students from Edmond-area schools go through a multi-week process to learn more about city government and Tuesday was their night to attend the Planning Commission.
Thompson was particularly affected by the discussion because his family recently moved to the Mountain View addition.
“I think I agree with Mr. Pearce,” Thompson said afterward. “I think it’s a little too fast and it’s not well-developed enough because there’s a lot of things that haven’t been addressed yet.”
In particular, the Youth Council member said he is concerned about traffic congestion, which he said is already tough to navigate at Second Street.
“At Second Street it takes me forever,” Thompson said.
Mike Galiga, a partner in Summit Development, promised a high-quality project because he is an Edmond resident a few miles from the site and said he will be happy to address the traffic and other concerns.
He does not believe the project will clog Danforth as he envisions 80-90 percent of the traffic utilizing Second Street.
(Business Editor Lisa Shearer may be reached via e-mail at lshearer@edmondsun.com.)
