The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended that City Council approve a new PD (Allen Creek Estates, Plat 1) that would redevelop roughly 5.2 acres at 1805 McKee Street with 55 single‑family attached dwellings and a community building.
Staff described the proposal as a new PD plan (the property is already PD zoned but the plan under consideration in 2000 had expired). The current PD would function as the preliminary plat and create 56 lots (55 with dwellings and one common lot for parking/access). The plan proposes multiple private streets (to be platted within common lots), shared rear parking, a community building (with sidewalk access and a drop curb), and a maximum building height of 35 feet. Staff reported 137 parking spaces proposed (110 minimum required under the code).
Several neighbors and nearby property owners spoke during public comment, focusing on stormwater, floodplain and traffic concerns. Neighbors said portions of the northern third of the site are within a FEMA/CEMA floodway or floodplain; speakers said runoff historically affects nearby alleys and basements on Glenwood and Aldea Street. One neighbor said the city has begun stormwater work on Allen Lane and urged the commission to ensure additional drainage capacity before approving new impervious surface.
Applicant representative Jay Gephart said the design follows standard townhome dimensional exceptions (narrow lots — many 23 feet wide — reduced lot areas and setbacks) to enable individually sold units, and said the community building will be coordinated with Love Incorporated to provide neighborhood services. He told commissioners the developer had held a neighborhood meeting and was coordinating with neighbors about drainage improvements; he said the northern floodway imposes a clear constraint and reduces the developable acreage.
Staff told commissioners the proposal complies with the UDC except for dimensional standards (lot width, lot area, setbacks), and that the PD approach was necessary to allow individually sold lots. Staff also noted that any development triggers compliance with the city’s stormwater ordinance (Section 12A‑87E) and that the Allen Lane stormwater improvement is programmed as a capital project (bids were being sought). Traffic impacts would be considered at the time of development and may trigger required mitigation or a traffic impact study depending on final uses and trip generation.
Commissioner Brodsky, among others, said the city’s stormwater standards are designed to avoid increasing off‑site flooding from new development. Commissioner Stanton moved to approve the PD plan, statement of intent and preliminary plat subject to technical corrections; Commissioner Ortiz seconded. The vote was unanimous; the commission will forward its recommendation to City Council.