Multi-family plan denied by P&Z

By: 
Jill Meier, Journal editor
For the second time in a month, a planned development for twin homes was halted by Brandon’s Planning & Zoning Commission.
The P&Z first denied VanOverschelde Companies’ application to re-zone property at 400-500 E. Redwood Blvd. on Sept. 7. Developer Nick VanOverschelde was asking for the land to be zoned R-1 and R-2 to allow 48 units, which would be a mix of twin homes and town homes on the 3.8-acre parcel of land. 
VanOverschelde returned to the Commission Oct. 5, this time seeking a conditional use permit for twin homes, which meet R-1 zoning regulations. He reduced the number of twin home units to 38, and made concessions to other concerns Tallgrass Village property owners voiced in 50 signed letters presented to the Commission last month. 
Last week, nearly 40 Tallgrass Village property owners showed up for a second time before the P&Z Commission to voice their opposition to the conditional use permit. Several adjacent property owners said the 3.8-acre parcel of land is too small to accommodate the multi-family dwelling development.
“Allowing a conditional use permit will create way too great of a density,” said Sandy Klatt, whose backyard abuts the proposed development. 
Increased traffic and decreased property value were among Don DeJager’s concerns. 
Abbie Wickersham questioned why single-family homes weren’t planned for the development.
“They can,” she said. “But the reason is the developer gains more if they build twin homes on that property. That’s not fair to ask us to sacrifice our home, our neighborhood and our lifestyle. You can’t punish Tallgrass Village because the developer didn’t do their homework. I challenge whoever is going to develop this to think outside the box. R-1 will sell, I believe that.”
Wendy Ramse voiced her dissatisfaction for a proposed retention pond, noting her concern for water run-off and mosquitoes.
“This is a poorly formatted plan … There’s a whole lot of unknown here and this is no time to approve something like that,” she said.
Commissioner Todd Stone explained that conditional use permits could not be denied based on decreased property values or change of lifestyle, for example. 
“Nobody is allowed to bring water onto anybody else’s property and we can’t dictate rentals versus ownership,” he said. 
Commissioner Brian Heidbrink said he doesn’t have an issue with attached homes, but did voice concerns about the density. 
“Honestly, I don’t know where to go from here,” VanOverschelde said following the meeting. “We have the option to appeal to the city council and we’re also looking at the possibility of single family homes.”
To meet the city’s single-family lot requirements, VanOverschelde said the property could accommodate a dozen single-family homes.  
“But we’re at the point where we don’t think we’ll be able to bring it together,” he said.
Prior to the P&Z’s unanimous vote to deny the conditional use permit, Stone asked homeowners if they would oppose the plan it was trimmed to 15 units. 
“Is it the twin homes or is it the density?” he asked.
Density, was the crowd majority’s response.
“We’re just asking to respect the current zoning and the density,” Klatt said.
 
 

 

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