Council approves Westbury 1st subdivision to create 105 residential lots

Rochester City Council adopted a resolution on Feb. 18 approving a major land subdivision by Bigelow Homes LLC, to be known as Westbury 1st, subdividing roughly 35.4 acres into 105 residential lots, four outlots and a dedicated city park parcel.

Desmond McGill presented the application as phase 1 of a larger 68-acre plan; planning staff and the planning commission recommended approval subject to five conditions. The proposal includes a connectivity plan, local-street extensions and an eight-acre dedicated parkland site. Councilmember Keane moved the resolution and Councilmember Wahl seconded it; the motion passed with no recorded opposition in the transcript.

Kyle Skove of WHKS, representing Bigelow Homes, told council the developer agreed to the proposed conditions and emphasized the addition of 105 affordable lots to the community. Council members questioned access and connectivity for the portion of the development with a single point of access; staff noted condition number 3 requires either a temporary fire access through phase 2 or sprinkling systems for the 63 units that would otherwise have only one access point.

Councilmember Miller expressed broader concern about development patterns and transportation options, saying the city should consider transit access and strategies to avoid creating disconnected parcels as growth continues. Councilmember Wahl said neighborhood meeting feedback focused on traffic; he said Bigelow Homes appeared responsible and supported the project.

The subdivision is approved subject to the five conditions listed in the staff report; subsequent phases will require standard plan approvals and any required right-of-way or infrastructure work.