Commission hears overview of The Haven at North Corner rezoning and development agreement, council forms ad hoc review committee

The commission discussed a request to rezone four parcels and an associated development agreement for The Haven at North Corner (DA 20242259 and RZ20242259). Planning staff described the proposal as a typical MDR rezoning with a cluster-subdivision overlay that triggers a development agreement because of voluntary land donations and other negotiated provisions.

Staff told commissioners that the council has created an ad hoc committee to review the development agreement in parallel with the planning commission’s recommendation. “The UDO lays out the procedures for a development agreement,” planning staff said, noting council can add an ad hoc committee or consultant and that the council chose the ad hoc committee option for this case.

Commissioners asked whether related nearby projects that propose land donations are interdependent — for example, if one project is approved and another is not, could a shared donation for a school be jeopardized. Planning staff said developers described their projects as interlinked and “like the 3 Musketeers,” but acknowledged that if one parcel is not approved it could leave insufficient acreage for some shared public dedications such as a school site; staff said those eventualities would have to be resolved in the approval and development-agreement language.

Several commissioners also sought clarification about utilities. Staff read the development agreement language that potable water, sewage treatment and disposal would be supplied to the property by the Lancaster County Water and Sewer District.

The commission did not take a vote on the DA or rezoning during the workshop; staff said edited draft development-agreement language and staff-proposed edits will be circulated to commissioners prior to the public hearing so the commission can consider a recommendation after council and administration coordination.