Council agrees to advertise Knollwood PUD map amendment after staff says developer will convert a lot to open space

The Opelika City Council at its work session agreed to send to advertisement a map amendment to the Knollwood Subdivision Planned Unit Development (PUD) on Crawford Road. Planning staff said the applicant will convert one area deemed unsuitable for building into an open-space amenity and reduce 11 lots from 60 feet to 55 feet in width so the overall number of lots remains unchanged.

Planning staff member Matt said, "They are designating that now as an open space lot, amenity lot," and explained the lot-width change is required because the development is a PUD and the council must approve any amendment. He also told the council the Planning Commission voted 8–0 to recommend approval.

The change initially raised staff concerns because the applicant sought to remove a proposed connection to the adjoining Village at Waterford neighborhood; staff said the applicant agreed to keep that connection. Matt said the connection would add a secondary access point to Village at Waterford and that access and any entry modifications must be approved by city engineers and ALDOT because Crawford Road is a state route. "That would have to be approved both by city engineers and it's a state route. So ALDOT will also approve that route," Matt said.

The council did not take final action at the work session; members directed staff to advertise the PUD map amendment and scheduled it for the formal public meeting process. The Planning Commission recommendation and the advertised public hearing will precede any final council vote.