Commission tables rezoning request

By Patrick Johnston

Published: June 20, 2008

The Eufaula Planning Commission tabled a request Tuesday to rezone approximately 25 acres in the vicinity of Wall Street for use as a possible manufactured home subdivision.
Commission members could have voted on Marty Williams’ request to rezone 25.2 acres in the vicinity of Wall Street and Old Dale Road from M-2 (heavy industrial) and R-2 (medium density residential) to MHR (mobile home). According to a city staff review, the intent of the rezoning was to “provide an opportunity for manufactured homes to be placed on ‘single-family lots in subdivisions established solely for the purpose of home ownership.’”
Williams attended the meeting and talked for several minutes about what any potential subdivision would look like. He said there would be curbs and gutters, sidewalks and homes with pitched roofs. There would also be a home owners’ association. The homes would have to be at least 1,500 square feet.
“There will be design restrictions on what they can and can’t put in there,” he said. “There will be a lot stricter restrictions than anywhere else. ... We’re not putting four or five on an acre.”
The roughly five dozen lots that were proposed for the property would be sold to the home owners.
However, a small group of homeowners came before the commission expressing opposition to Williams’ request. They spent much of the time discussing Old Dale Road, stating it is not wide enough to handle the additional traffic such a development would bring.
They also expressed concerns about crime.
“You’re going to bring 100 to 200 people to the area. You know what a trailer park brings,” one opponent of the development stated.
A city staff review recommended denial for several reasons. The review stated that any development should not rely solely on Wall Street for access since there is a railroad track that could block access. The review also states no development proposal has been submitted to the city, and the nearby railroad access actually makes the property more suitable for industrial than residential development.
“We’re not necessarily opposed to this property being rezoned,” City Planner Tim Milner said. “Without a development proposal, we’re not in favor of it.”
Commission members urged Williams to return at a later date once a development proposal has been created.
Walden at the Lake
Bill Barrett of Barrett-Simpson also spoke on behalf of David Walden, who is proposing a 16-acre planned unit development at the Baker Hill Highway-U.S. Hwy. 431 intersection. (The property is commonly referred to as the Myra Smith property.)
Walden had proposed condominiums for the development but is now looking at a combination of town houses and condominiums. The development would include a community pool, clubhouse and storage facilities.
“They’re chomping at the bit to get started,” Barrett said, referring to infrastructure work. “We’re just waiting on (engineering firm) Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood to put their rubber stamp on it.”
Barrett added that 10 to 12 units have already been pre-sold.

Other matters
The commission also:
Gave final plat approval to W. Roy Crow for property 525 N. Eufaula Ave.
Gave final plat approval to John Savage for property at Shadow Moss Landing (Savage, who is a member of the commission, abstained from voting.)
Approved an amendment to subdivision regulations regarding preliminary plat specifications and amendments to the zoning ordinance regarding data for detailed site plans and building permits.