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City, developer yet to strike an agreement

July 31st, 2008

An agreement has yet to be reached on a proposed development for the property directly west of Gaylord’s stormwater retention pond.

City Administrator Kevin McCann reported Monday that there has been no response from Meadow Wood Builders following a negotiations meeting two weeks ago.

For more than a year, the City of Gaylord has been negotiating with Meadow Wood Builders, the Jordan development firm which owns the property.

Unable to sell homes initially planned for the development, Meadow Wood Builders revised its plan to include smaller lots and smaller homes.

That revised plan immediately prompted concern from the City Council and residents who already live in the development. But, because the City didn’t follow proper procedure required by its subdivision ordinance, a judge eventually ruled Meadow Wood Builders could proceed as planned.

The City of Gaylord still has time to appeal the court decision. In the meantime, Meadow Wood Builders and the City have continued to negotiate. The most recent plat includes three fewer lots (36), a majority of which are 60-feet wide. Established lots in the development are 100-feet wide, according to City Administrator Kevin McCann.

In June, the City approved a conditional use permit for the planned unit development (PUD). This conditional use permit allows for flexibility in the City’s ordinance, according to McCann.

Also approved was a preliminary plat with six conditions attached. One of those conditions included the developer asking the City to share in the cost of developing a Third Street East extension. This road would connect the development with Jefferson Avenue.

Mayor Quast contended that Jeff Hennon of Meadow Wood Builders had agreed to pay for the street extension during a negotiations meeting in April. But, Cheryl Trnka, who represented Hennon at a City Council meeting in June, said the developer has never felt responsible for the entire expense of the street.

Quast, McCann, City Council member Carl Wetzel, City Attorney Doug Nesvig met with Hennon and Trnka earlier this month to discuss the six conditions. According to McCann, the City has yet to hear a response from Hennon since that meeting.

McCann said the goal was to get a final plat approved by late July or early August. If negotiations are unsuccessful, the City can still appeal the court decision. The deadline to appeal has been extended to August 11th, McCann explained.

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