Planning staff told the council that a developer filed a development plan review (DPR) last week for an almost-10-acre vacant parcel bounded by Avon Avenue, Governors Row and Oriole Way in the Village of Turner Trace. Because the parcel is zoned C-2 (general commercial), a grocery store is a permitted use; the DPR therefore proceeds as a ministerial review if all UDO standards are met.

Why it matters: the filing triggers technical review, agency comment and public-notice steps. If the project seeks waivers or variances, those requests will require discretionary findings and additional hearings that can change project timing.

Staff concerns and requested waivers: the petitioner requested two prominent exceptions: a new full-access intersection onto Avon Avenue with approximately 265 feet of separation to neighboring intersections (the town's UDO requires 400 feet), and an exception to the UDO's maximum average parking-lot lighting level (the site plan proposed roughly 3.5 foot-candles vs. the UDO cap of 1.6). Staff said the access point appears unnecessary because the site has usable access on Governors Row and Oriole Way and that the lighting deviation as filed exceeds the maximum deviation eligible for a plan-commission waiver; if the petitioner wants the current lighting level, they must request a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals before plan commission action.

Process and schedule: staff has sent the traffic study to the town consultant (HWC Engineering) and will post technical comments after TAC review next Thursday. If the petitioner provides timely revisions, legal notice will be published and the plan commission could consider the DPR on Dec. 22. Properties within 660 feet will be notified per the ordinance.

Operational details: staff noted deliveries would likely be routed off Oriole Way and that Governors Row's boulevard profile presents turning-radius constraints for large semitrailers. The petitioner indicated two existing northern access stubs are vested and would be difficult to remove.

Speakers and sources: Linda Albrand, planning director, described the filing, the waiver requests and the next steps in the review process. Staff referenced consultant traffic and stormwater review and the need for TAC comments.

Next steps: the town will circulate consultant comments to the petitioner, the petitioner may revise plans or pursue variances, and plan commission review is scheduled for Dec. 22 if materials arrive on schedule.