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If the McCutchen Acres Planned Unit Development is to be approved by City Council members in two weeks, three issues still must be resolved.
They include:
• The payment in lieu of greenspace
• Density issues concerning stormwater runoff
• The completion of the 18th Street extension
Nearly 50 people attended the City Council meeting Monday, many of whom are neighbors of the McCutchen neighborhood and were represented by Kent Davis of 1700 McCutchen Road.
“Many of these homeowners are from well-established single-family homes,” said Davis, who spoke on their behalf. “I don’t think PUD housing (multiple-family) is R-1 (single-family) housing, and we are concerned about our home values. This is about property values.”
Developer Mike Woessner is seeking to put a 54-unit, multi-family project on 6.76 acres of the nearly 38-acre tract.
It was a night in which many of the same concerns from an informational meeting at The Centre and a subsequent Planning & Zoning meeting were heard. This time, however, heirs of the McCutchen property and children of Mac McCutchen attended.
Dr. John McCutchen, a Florida orthopedic surgeon, and his sister, Carolyn M. Condict, were seated in the front row. Originally, McCutchen sought a First- and Second Reading, but that request was withdrawn, according to Woessner.
Woessner, his wife, Linda, and son Matt, who will manage the property, were seated in the front row with the McCutchens in a line of support for the project.
Seated behind them and across the aisle were about 32 people who stood after Davis, eloquently representing the opposition, asked them to rise in a show of support upon concluding his statement to council.
“I think the opposition was represented well,” said City Administrator John Butz. “He obviously spoke for everyone.”
Given the opportunity to address the City Council, McCutcheon took his turn and said the property always was intended to be his father’s legacy to his children, “to do with what we wanted. His children’s inheritance,” McCutchen said. “I grew up on that land, and I watched as Rolla grew up around us.”
For his part, Woessner made it clear the profit margin on the property was slim, and any alteration in the PUD could jeopardize the project. Woessner is wanting to dedicate 4.2 acres of greenspace in lieu of payment for park land. On the other side, the city would rather have the infusion of cash, as Butz reminded the council, “it’s the city’s decision.”
If the McCutchen Acres Planned Unit Development is to be approved by City Council members in two weeks, three issues still must be resolved.
They include:
• The payment in lieu of greenspace
• Density issues concerning stormwater runoff
• The completion of the 18th Street extension
Nearly 50 people attended the City Council meeting Monday, many of whom are neighbors of the McCutchen neighborhood and were represented by Kent Davis of 1700 McCutchen Road.
“Many of these homeowners are from well-established single-family homes,” said Davis, who spoke on their behalf. “I don’t think PUD housing (multiple-family) is R-1 (single-family) housing, and we are concerned about our home values. This is about property values.”
Developer Mike Woessner is seeking to put a 54-unit, multi-family project on 6.76 acres of the nearly 38-acre tract.
It was a night in which many of the same concerns from an informational meeting at The Centre and a subsequent Planning & Zoning meeting were heard. This time, however, heirs of the McCutchen property and children of Mac McCutchen attended.
Dr. John McCutchen, a Florida orthopedic surgeon, and his sister, Carolyn M. Condict, were seated in the front row. Originally, McCutchen sought a First- and Second Reading, but that request was withdrawn, according to Woessner.
Woessner, his wife, Linda, and son Matt, who will manage the property, were seated in the front row with the McCutchens in a line of support for the project.
Seated behind them and across the aisle were about 32 people who stood after Davis, eloquently representing the opposition, asked them to rise in a show of support upon concluding his statement to council.
“I think the opposition was represented well,” said City Administrator John Butz. “He obviously spoke for everyone.”
Given the opportunity to address the City Council, McCutcheon took his turn and said the property always was intended to be his father’s legacy to his children, “to do with what we wanted. His children’s inheritance,” McCutchen said. “I grew up on that land, and I watched as Rolla grew up around us.”
For his part, Woessner made it clear the profit margin on the property was slim, and any alteration in the PUD could jeopardize the project. Woessner is wanting to dedicate 4.2 acres of greenspace in lieu of payment for park land. On the other side, the city would rather have the infusion of cash, as Butz reminded the council, “it’s the city’s decision.”
If the city will not accept greenspace, the development must pay an initial fee of $4,122 for the 6.7 acre tract in the PUD. When all of the nearly 38-acre tract is developed, the payment in lieu of greenspace would total $22,747.
If the city insists in the payment, Woessner said he will seek to develop the tract that otherwise would have been the greenspace.
“They’re not going to double-dip us,” Woessner said of providing greenspace and paying the fee. “We’re not going to pay the fee and offer park land, too.”
Ward 3 Councilman Gary Hicks expressed concern about stormwater run-off, as the proposed coverage with rooftoops, asphalt and driveways would be about 51 percent of total land area.
Hicks said he would prefer “the footprint be about 40 percent” to reduce the run-off and allow more storm water absorption into the soil.
“We can reduce the footprint,” Woessner said.
On stipulation of the extension of 18th Street, the city is concerned that it be completed from Forum Drive to McCutchen Road and not be left hanging if only the part of the land is developed.
Dialogue on the subject will continue and and City Council members are expected to vote on the PUD at its Aug. 17 meeting.
