A controversial proposed subdivision in southern Platte County was tabled at the developer’s request this week after residents in the Timber Ridge and Thousand Oaks neighborhoods expressed their concerns about the impact the development could have on their properties and the area.
Approval of the Hidden Oaks development, in the Highway 45 corridor off Brink Myer Road, was scheduled to be on the agenda at the Monday, June 22 meeting of the Platte County Commission. Developer David Barth, of Forest Park Development, said after the public outcry at the May planning and zoning meeting he plans to take another look at the development plan, according to Director of Planning and Zoning Daniel Erickson.
The planned residential district went before the Platte County Planning and Zoning Commission last month and failed to advance due to a tied vote. Residents turned out in force at that meeting, presenting a petition with 518 signatures. Dozens of letters of opposition were also on file with the proposal, which residents say will devastate property values and overcrowd the area.
Forest Park Development applied to rezone 21.60 acres from agricultural to planned residential. The applicant also submitted the Hidden Oaks Planned Residential District Plan, which would be subdivided into 50 lots for single-family development. Each lot would be eligible to receive a building permit for one single-family dwelling. The proposed lots would range in size from 8,311 sq. ft. to 21,505 sq. ft. The proposed development also includes four open space tracts, which would be maintained by the Homeowners Association.
According to the planning and zoning staff report, Barth originally submitted a plan for 86 townhome units (11 duplexes, five triplexes, 11 fourplexes and one fiveplex). Staff received numerous emails and letters from surrounding citizens in opposition to the original plan for 86 townhome units. The applicant redesigned the plan to contain 50 lots for single-family development.
The redesigned plan conforms to the recommendations of the Platte County Land Use Plan, the report states. The planned residential district is described in the Platte County Zoning Order as being designed to provide for small and large scale developments incorporating a single type or a variety of residential uses that are planned and developed as a unit.
Opponents say the development would destroy acres of woodland, even up to existing neighborhood property lines. They question the density of the development, stating it does not fit the character of the area. They also state there will be no buffers between the new development and the existing neighborhoods, with one resident stating concerns that children living in the new development could trespass along a creek running by the property. Traffic on Brink Myer would increase, they say, without improvement of the roadway planned to accommodate it.
At the May 19 meeting, Barth said he was surprised by the community push back, as he and his family have built several subdivisions in Platte County and he feels they have been quality developments.