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Raimondo rezoning gets council approval amid fire-access and process questions
Summary
The Town Council moved the Raimondo Drive parcel from open space to residential as part of the housing-element rezonings and directed staff to pursue related design standards; residents and the fire marshal warned that the neighborhood's single-access road may exceed fire-code limits and said a second access would be required for additional dwellings.
The council approved revising the general plan designation for the town-owned Raimondo Drive parcel from open space to residential as part of the package of rezonings tied to the housing element. During public comment residents and the town's fire officials emphasized that the site and surrounding neighborhoods rely on a single narrow access road that already serves the maximum number of dwellings allowed under the local fire code without a second approved access.
Sue Paletti, who said she met with the fire marshal, told the council that the town's fire code limits a single-access road to 30 dwellings unless a second approved fire access road is provided or all units are fully fire-protected (sprinklers). Multiple residents warned developing Raimondo without a separate, approved egress could require the town or developer to construct costly new access infrastructure and could violate safety standards. Councilmember comments reflected concern and directed staff to research improved egress options as part of the Emerald Lake Hills specific-plan amendments and subsequent project review.
Councilmember Fluitt moved the general plan change for Raimondo and the council approved it; other required zoning and design actions remain part of the bundled ordinance and objective design standard resolutions the council scheduled for additional readings.
