Council hears traffic and floodplain concerns on proposed 90-unit Wilshire townhome rezoning; continued to Wednesday

A developerrequest to rezone a property from light industrial to planned residential for a proposed 90-unit townhome community drew detailed scrutiny from staff and council over traffic impacts, access and floodplain constraints.

Planning staff described the proposal as a 90-unit townhome community requiring several variances related to unit types and parking configuration; the site currently would access through an easement via Horizon Lane and the adjoining apartment complex, per earlier zoning stipulations. A traffic review prepared by the applicantand summarized by staff projected approximately 700 additional vehicle trips per day on Wilshire Avenue, about 1,000 additional vehicles per day on Seminole Place and nearly 900 additional vehicles per day on Tom Reed Drive. Staff recommended a suite of mitigation measures if approved, including no parking on both sides of affected neighborhood streets, multiple new stop-sign (3- and 4-way) controls at neighborhood intersections, developer-funded maintenance bonds for street restoration during construction and responsibility for any required traffic-signal retiming at Highway 41 intersections.

Council members raised concerns about the number of trips flowing onto neighborhood streets, the suitability of access via a private apartment access easement (Horizon Lane), and whether active recreation/playground elements proposed near floodplain areas would be feasible or safe. Staff noted portions of the site are in floodplain and wetlands, limiting usable buildable area and potentially constraining placement of playgrounds without additional design work.

Council moved the item forward for continued discussion on Wednesday and asked the developer to supply additional information on access improvements, mitigation commitments and final plans addressing floodplain and playground design before any final vote.