ARB recommends approval of Briley Farm Phase 2 design guidelines; lot count reduced to 87

The Town of Oakland Appearance Review Board on the evening of the meeting recommended approval of design guidelines for Briley Farm Phase 2, a suburban residential phase that the developer has revised since a 2022 development agreement.

Brad Cornelius, contracted town planner with Wade Trim, said the new owner reduced the previously approved 111 lots to 87, revised the lot layout and submitted a package of design guidelines and architectural standards for the houses to be built. “They are reducing the lot count from a 111 to 87 lots,” Cornelius said.

The board heard that Phase 2 uses the same architectural styles approved in Phase 1 — colonial revival, Florida vernacular and French farmhouse — and that the design guidelines include lot-type–specific setbacks and other standards. Cornelius told the board staff recommends approval because the guidelines are consistent with the pattern established in Phase 1 and align with the town’s design intent.

Members asked for and received several clarifications: the correct revised lot total is 87; four lots will remain owned by the Vos family; the town’s minimum lot-width standard is 70 feet and the revised plan removed previously proposed narrower lots that had driven the higher lot count. Staff and the chair reminded the board that this evening’s decision was the ARB’s design recommendation and that traffic and pedestrian connections are reviewed under other processes.

A member moved to approve the Phase 2 plan-development amendment (design review). The motion was seconded and carried without recorded opposition. The board’s recommendation is scheduled to go to the Planning & Zoning Board on October 21 and then to the Town Commission for final action on October 28 and November 10.

Next steps: the Planning & Zoning Board will review the recommendation and the Town Commission will make the final determination under the town’s development-agreement process.