HomeMy WebLinkAboutBuffalo Run - RC Memo (20-112) 01_25_2021
28 January 2021
Buffalo Run Annexation & ZMA (20-112)
The following information is submitted to supplement the Buffalo Run Annexation and Zone Map
Amendment (ZMA) application materials currently under review. This memo contains details on the
steps the project team has taken to date to demonstrate good faith in the development process and
clarify the outreach efforts underway with the Meadow Creek neighborhood. This document also
specifies which components of the application materials are most vital to the current applications under
review and describes the future steps that will ultimately allow for construction at this site.
The applicant has endeavored at each stage of the review process to provide additional clarity and
specificity beyond what is required. This includes the submittal of a preliminary Traffic Impact Study and
several preliminary engineering reports. These actions were intended to foster trust between the
developer, the community, and the City by providing details that are not required for approval of the
Annexation and ZMA submittals. It is the applicant’s intention that these preliminary documents will be
updated to provide precise details on the development proposed during the future review procedures
necessary to allow construction (i.e. Subdivision, Site Plan reviews, etc.), however they are beyond the
scope of review for the current applications.
Stakeholder Engagement
Since the January 11, 2020 Zoning Commission review of the ZMA, the applicant team has met with the
Meadow Creek HOA Board to discuss this project in more detail. It was determined during and in follow
up to those discussions that two of the critical concerns of the Meadow Creek neighbors are related to
density and traffic impacts (based on comments to date). Regarding density, the City’s adopted Future
Land Use Map designates this parcel as Urban Neighborhood. This category is primarily intended to
include urban density homes in a variety of types, shapes, sizes, and intensities, which is the intent of
this project. Moreover, the requested zoning of R-5 is an allowed zoning district within the Urban
Neighborhood land use category. It should be noted that only two and three story buildings would be
constructed, and this project would additional require significant onsite open space and parkland.
Turning to the issue of traffic, the applicant team has met with City Staff to come to an accord on the
following expectations for transportation related public improvements:
- The applicant team has contacted the County Road Department to discuss the project and
paving Fowler Road to County Standards which will qualify as a second access point. The County
has agreed to maintain this road.
- The previously required street through the park in an existing easement can be eliminated with
the paving of Fowler. This will allow for the neighborhood park to expand and be improved now,
as well as with future adjacent developments.
Essential Review Materials
For this review it is essential that the City Commission pay special attention to the applicant’s Narrative
that demonstrates how the project meets the review criteria for Annexation and ZMA approval.
Commissioners are also advised to review the RC information with an eye to the future, as the
assumptions included therein provide a snapshot of best available information from mid-2020.
Development and design concepts continue to evolve, as they do with a project of this type at such an
early stage in the development process, and therefore precise analysis and distillation of the subdivision
and site plan design components is more suitable to occur under a subsequent review.
The attached exhibit displays visually several the important components from this memo to provide
additional evidence of the thoughtfulness of the current proposal before you (Exhibit A).
The application materials, as demonstrated in the submittals and the analysis provided by City Planning
Staff, show that this project has met the approval criteria for Annexation and initial zoning, and should
therefore be approved by City Commission.
Attachment - Exhibit A