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Commission approves Briar Hill Villas development plan for 62-unit active-adult community
Summary
The planning commission approved a development plan for Briar Hill Villas, an 8.23-acre, 62-unit single-story townhome community targeted to active-adult/senior residents; the developer requested taller monument signage but commission upheld 5-foot code standard.
The City of Delaware Planning Commission approved a development plan for Briar Hill Villas, an 8.23-acre, active-adult residential community consisting of 62 single-story townhome units organized in 13 buildings plus a clubhouse.
The proposal, by DVLI/Delaware Realty LLC and developer Briar Hill Development with Pride 1 Construction as builder, was presented as a project that advances the city comprehensive plan objective to diversify housing stock and provide housing suitable for downsizing and empty-nest households. Ryan Thiebaud, representing the developer, said the project’s amenities — a clubhouse and courts such as pickleball and bocce — were intended to foster a community lifestyle.
Staff described the site as zoned MX PUD and noted surrounding zoning types; conditions of approval appear in the meeting packet. The developer requested two 7-foot monument signs (the submitted sign was 7 feet tall) but staff noted the city’s base code, adopted in a zoning update, allows 5-foot ground signs for residential developments. Commissioners questioned the need for a taller sign and discussed code consistency; the commission expressed reluctance to make a corridor-wide exception for one project and reiterated that the 5-foot maximum is the base standard.
Other plan details: the community would include private streets with three access points to Lansdale Drive, buffering and mounding along the south edge and Houk Road, a six-foot wood privacy fence along the west boundary, and building materials including stone, siding and board-and-batten. Staff recommended approval with conditions; the developer said they were agreeable to the conditions except for the sign-height request.
Motion and vote: Commissioner Peral moved to approve PUD 25-6 with staff recommendations; Commissioner Nana seconded. The vote recorded Feller — yes; Prowl — yes; Nana — yes; Vice Chair Hoffman — yes; Chairman Simpson — yes. Motion carried. The development plan will proceed to administrative engineering review and then to council for the public hearing scheduled Oct. 27.
