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Council approves Olsen Orchard zone change with facade and park design conditions
Summary
Perry City Council approved a zone change and development agreement for the Olsen Orchard subdivision, adding requirements for front‑facing facades on certain townhomes and a 12‑inch concrete perimeter (in exchange for removing a proposed dog park); council also clarified park ownership and HOA maintenance responsibilities.
The Perry City Council voted unanimously on Jan. 23 to approve a zone change and development agreement for the Olsen Orchard Subdivision, authorizing a development overlay zone with several negotiated conditions addressing building orientation, landscaping and park maintenance.
Planning staff introduced revised development agreement language provided by the developer. That draft included requirements for townhome design standards on local streets — specifically front‑facing facades toward sidewalks — architectural variation among units and a proposal that end units in a townhome row be limited to two stories where applicable. The developer provided example images showing front‑facing facades and a configuration in which taller townhomes are centered with lower units on the ends to create transitions.
Council discussion focused on three recurring items: whether the small neighborhood park should include a dog park; whether a consistent perimeter fence or a concrete edging should be used to simplify long‑term maintenance; and whether homeowners’ fences and HOAs should be addressed in the development agreement to ensure consistent maintenance and appearance. City staff said the central park area would be owned by Perry City and that landscaping around the townhomes would be maintained by private property owners and/or the homeowners association. The developer, represented by Alex Owens of Link Construction and Development, said the developer was open to a fence trade and to a concrete perimeter option.
After negotiating a compromise on site features, the council’s motion to approve the ordinance included two specific conditions: the addition of 3,600 linear feet of front‑facing facades on townhomes along 3600 South (to improve street presence) and the installation of a 12‑inch concrete “mow strip” around the park perimeter in lieu of the proposed dog park; the developer agreed to retain proposed parking. Staff confirmed the south natural open space would be owned by Perry City and the townhome landscaping would be maintained by private property owners or an HOA per the development agreement language.
A public comment by a nearby resident reiterated long‑standing neighborhood concerns about density and character; the council motion passed on a unanimous roll call: Walker, Osler, Wright and Tueller voted Yes.
The development agreement will return to staff for final technical edits to reflect the council’s design conditions and to prepare building permit and infrastructure plans.
