Commission Agenda Item

MEETING DATE:  11/9/2015

SUBJECT:  Heritage Oaks Phase II Preliminary Plat: A request for consideration for the subdivision of the ±17.25 acre property into 44 lots. Tax Parcel No. 03053-001-000. (Quasi-Judicial Hearing)

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Staff recommends the City Commission approve the preliminary plat upon making the following motion:

Based upon the competent substantial evidence presented at this hearing, the presentation before this Commission, and Staff’s recommendation, this Commission finds the application to be consistent with the City of Alachua Comprehensive Plan and in compliance with the Land Development Regulations and approves the preliminary plat, subject to the condition provided by the Public Services Department in a memo dated November 3, 2015.

Summary

This application is a request by Daniel Young, P.E., LEED AP, of Causseaux, Hewett, & Walpole, Inc., applicant and agent for Duration Builders, Inc., property owner, for the approval of a preliminary plat to subdivide a ±17.25 acre tract of land into a total of 44 lots.

The subject property is part of the Heritage Oaks Planned Development – Residential (PD-R), which was approved by the City Commission on May 11, 2015 (Ordinance 15-05.) The proposed preliminary plat consists of “Phase II” of the PD-R, as identified on the PD Master Plan which was approved as part of the Heritage Oaks PD-R.

The subject property is located north of Heritage Oaks Phase I, which is currently developed and substantially built out. Access to Heritage Oaks is provided by NW 167^th Boulevard, which connects to NW US Highway 441. 

The Heritage Oaks PD-R PD Master Plan requires larger lots along the project’s northern boundary. In addition, the project would provide a 15-foot buffer with a minimum six (6) foot fence between lots within Phase II and the agriculturally-zoned properties located to the north of the project site. The proposed preliminary plat demonstrates compliance with these requirements.

Development within the proposed subdivision would connect to potable water and wastewater facilities. Stormwater for the proposed development would be conveyed to a stormwater management facility constructed in the eastern portion of the subject property. An analysis of the development’s impact on public facilities is provided within the staff report (attached).

Section 2.4.10(G)(2) of the City’s Land Development Regulations (LDRs) establishes the requirements for a plat. An analysis of the application’s compliance with the applicable standards of this section has been provided within the staff report (attached.)

On October 13, 2015, the Planning & Zoning Board held a public hearing on the proposed application and voted 5-0 to transmit the preliminary plat to the City Commission with a recommendation to approve.

Since the Planning and Zoning Board meeting, the Public Services Department has issued an additional review comment in a memo dated November 3, 2015, with the following recommended condition:  "Change easements between cul-de-sac from 15' to 20' to accommodate both water and electric installations."