Committee approves final plats and agreements for Hay Day Aurora, a 108-unit townhome project

The committee approved a package of final plats, easement and maintenance agreements for the Hay Day Aurora development, a proposed 108 rental townhome project on about 8 acres.

Senior planner Joan Morgan summarized the plan’s consistency with earlier approvals and said the final plan calls for 21 buildings containing 108 units with rear-loaded garages, more green space along Independence Drive and fewer curb cuts than the prior approved design. Morgan noted the developer’s approach includes additional parking compared with the earlier proposal.

Developer Ryan Swengruber described product details and affordability metrics, saying the project prioritizes two- and three-bedroom townhome-style rental units with two-car direct-access garages and electrical-vehicle charging in garages. He said the developer’s benchmarking shows the monthly cost is “17% to 30% more affordable on a monthly basis” than some homeownership scenarios used for comparison, and emphasized design changes to reduce curb cuts and improve pedestrian frontage on Independence Drive.

Committee members pressed on traffic and access; Swengruber said the design retains two access points and relies on prior traffic studies. John Curley, the city’s Chief Development Services Officer, added that Nelson Lake turns onto Galena with a right-turn-only lane and suggested traffic will split across routes, reducing localized congestion.

Motions to approve the Hay Day series of items were moved and seconded in sequence; each passed on voice votes recorded as 4-0. Staff and the petitioner will proceed with recording of plats and permit submittals.