Redmond planning commission denies Horizon Point PUD over major street-design deviations

The Redmond Urban Area Planning Commission on Dec. 3 voted to deny the Horizon Point planned unit development (PUD), a proposed 67-acre, seven-phase subdivision in southwest Redmond that would have included about 321 residential lots and approximately 76 townhouses.

Megan Penninger, an associate planner for the City of Redmond, told commissioners staff recommended denial because the application sought broad exceptions to the city's development code — including minimum lot-size reductions, increased density, block lengths two to three times the maximum, reduced driveway clearance on corner lots and multiple curve radii below the 198-foot minimum — without providing sufficient compensating benefits. "Staff recommends denial of the application due to the applicant's request for exceptions to eight development code standards without providing sufficient compensating benefits," Penninger said.

The applicant, Monte Vista Homes, argued the curvilinear design responds to site constraints and advances affordability. Luke Pickrell, the company's CEO, said the plan reduces required street and related infrastructure by about 4.5 acres and would allow lower construction costs and more…