Sandpoint planning commission recommends approval of Ridley Village Court PUD with conditions

The Sandpoint Planning and Zoning Commission on March 4 recommended city council approve a preliminary planned unit development for Ridley Village Court, a proposal for 57 fee-simple townhomes on about 4.1 acres of a five-acre parcel south of Highway 2 between Ridley Village Road and South Madison Avenue.

The development drew extended staff analysis, presentations from the applicant and more than a dozen public comments focusing on driveway and street connectivity, perimeter setbacks and effects on adjacent neighborhoods. The commission’s recommendation included conditions intended to address utility easements, street connections and a relocated open-space buffer along the eastern property line.

Bill Dean, Sandpoint city planner, told commissioners the application proposes 57 townhomes in 14 buildings on roughly 4.1 acres of the 5-acre site and that “each of the 57 townhomes that are proposed does have a garage.” Dean said the applicant’s materials report more than the 10% minimum open-space requirement and that the project proposes six connections at the property perimeter, including two pedestrian connections and four for vehicles. He also flagged requested deviations from standard zoning: front setbacks reduced from 15 feet to as little as zero in places, rear setbacks of about 5.5…