City Council OKs revised plan for housing development
April 16th, 2007A housing development west of Gaylord’s stormwater pond is expected to expand at a faster rate with a revised plan presented Wednesday to City Council members.
Four years ago, Meadow Wood Builders purchased the 15-acre parcel of land from the City for approximately $31,000. The developers agreed to construct at least two homes per year, an obligation that has not been satisfied.
Jeff Hennon, of Meadow Wood Builders, told council members in February that there isn’t a market here for the housing originally planned for the property. “We haven’t been able to move the homes,” Hennon said.
Meadow Wood Builders presented a new development proposal which included smaller lot sizes, smaller homes and narrower streets. Some members of the City Council expressed concern with this plan believing that lot sizes were too small and the area would be “too crowded.”
Hennon and other representatives of Meadow Wood Builders returned to the City Council last week with revised plans for the property.
According to City Administrator Lonny Johnson, Meadow Wood Builders eliminated some lots in its new plan and it is “not so concentrated.” Johnson said there will be “a lot more room” and more green space. Meadow Wood Builders also increased the width of roads to 34-feet, Johnson explained.
Meadow Wood Builders is participating in a government program for the development of this property. According to Johnson, the program assists low income individuals acquire home ownership through financial incentives.
In February, Hennon told council members that houses in the development would be 1,000 square feet when purchased and 2,000 square feet once basements are finished. Split entry homes are planned. They would carry a price tag in the $150,000 range with down payment assistance programs available, Hennon explained.
According to Hennon, the smallest lot in the development would be 5400 square feet. The next smallest is 6600 square feet.
“It is going to be very nice and it will look like an established neighborhood,” Hennon said.
Five foot wide sidewalks and four foot wide boulevards are included in the preliminary plans. Alleys in the development would have a 20 foot right-of-way with a 10 foot wide strip of pavement.
According to Hennon, the City of Gaylord will not be responsible for any financing and for any infrastructure in the development.
Council member Brenda Pautsch and Mayor Doug Quast expressed support for the plan.
“I’ve been waiting seven years for a program like this to come to the City of Gaylord,” council member Brenda Pautsch said.
Quast said the plan “looks a lot better and is not so crowded.”
Meadow Wood Builders’ preliminary plat was unanimously approved by council members. According to City Administrator Lonny Johnson, the developers will eventually return to the City with an “advanced proposal.”
Hennon said he would like to start developing the property immediately. He anticipates the construction of ten homes this summer, a number that could fluctuate depending on the rate of sales.
When the City sold Meadow Wood Builders the property west of the storm water pond, the developer also was given “right-of-first-refusal” on land east of the pond. According to Johnson, Hennon is willing to discuss releasing the property if the City had specific plans for the area.
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