Planning board member Robert Moore Jr. had discussed the possibility of continuing the discussion earlier in the meeting, wanting to hear from the developer, who was unable to attend.
Ultimately, board member Henry Ford made the motion to continue the meeting, backed by a second from Moore. The continued discussion will be set for the board’s February 16 meeting while a city council public hearing on the matter will be pushed to February 21.
(The planning board meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. and the council meeting will be at 5:15 p.m. Both will be at Lloyd Andrews City Meeting Hall on Jackson Street)
While the focus of this evening’s planning board meeting was specifically the rezoning of the vacant land located at Becker Drive and Hunting Ridge Road — beside El Tenampa and used as a soccer field and for Christmas tree sales — several residents from the surrounding areas of Steeplechase Run, Devonshire Circle and others nearby expressed concern about the proposed use of the approximately 2.52 acres in question.
Ellen Heaton, of Heaton Real Estate, spoke on behalf of the developer — The Woda Group. The land is currently owned by Bones Quality Automotive.
While she said she had no comment following the meeting on the board continuing deliberation, she did say she would be in contact with the developer.
During lengthy public comment on the issue, Heaton told the planning board the investment the company plans to make on the project is around $6,650,000 and would consist of one- and two-bedroom units in a complex which would include a computer room and exercise room.
She said following the meeting the complex would have around 50 units at a maximum height of three stories. “Screening is intensive,” Heaton said. “It will be safe.”
The current B-4 zoning of the property is less restrictive than the B-3 zoning the developers are seeking. Zoned as it currently is, Heaton said a range of businesses such as hotels and 24-hour gas stations could be located on the property. “It’s going to be done nicely. I’m not here to say yes or no. I think there are so many factors.”
Discussion by those concerned about the proposal ranged from issues of privacy and safety to property value and traffic.
“It is widely known that Becker Manor has numerous false fire alarm calls,” Jessica Dickens wrote in an email to Planning and Development Director Kelly Lasky. “The noise and lights resulting from that will have a negative impact in my neighborhood. Along with fire truck commotion, we also have concerns about ambulance response at all hours of the day and night, also causing excessive commotion.”
Dickens, who also spoke before the planning board, noted in the email, “If the building has plans to have multiple levels, it will tower over numerous yards and invade privacy of many families. This is very concerning for myself and many of my neighbors due to invasion of privacy.”
Residents in the area are also concerned about property values, she said. “Last, but certainly not least, the impact that this development could have on all our homes values could be severe. My home could potentially be at risk for resale. If our home values decrease that will create a great financial burden on multiple families in my neighborhood. In return, it would affect tax value.”
Other residents from the community echoed the concerns Dickens expressed, not only in her email, but what she told the planning board in the public comment section.
“I just wish you would reconsider,” said Samuel Carter. “We’ve got a good neighborhood. I would hate to see it messed up.”
Troy Williams said the land is right beside him. He said he has already seen his property value decline by $50,000 in 10 years.
There are traffic concerns in the neighborhood, he said, “people flying up and down the street.”
He said there are also privacy concerns with a tall building, people being able to peer at his pool. “You don’t know what kind of people are visiting. You don’t know who’s looking at my child or my wife.”
Becky Spragins has lived in the neighborhood for 34 years, before there were businesses in the area, before there was Becker Drive, she said. “I can relate to the people who have children. The people who zoned it had a reason for zoning it the way it is. Leave it as it is.”
Lasky said, addressing concerns expressed during the comments section, “It is not a subsidised, Section 8 situation. You have to have income and they do extensive background checks.”
There has been a need in the city for the facilities. “River Towne Manor has a waiting list,” Lasky said. “Many of the developers maintain ownership through the life (of the project).”
Councilman Wayne Smith, who serves as a liaison to the planning board, had no immediate comment following the meeting.