Commission approves 10-unit Battleground Place townhome PRD with staff conditions

The planning commission recommended approval of the Battleground Place townhome rezoning request for a 1.45-acre PRD at O'Green Cove and RT Johnson Drive, subject to staff comments.

Staff planner Mr. Barbee described the proposal as a 10-unit, three-building townhome complex with a minimum unit size of 1,400 square feet, private roads, garage and driveway parking (applicant requested crediting two garage spaces), masonry and cementitious siding, and required restrictive covenants limiting garages to vehicle parking. Barbee noted buffering and a requested reduction in a northern buffer where a drainage easement constrains plantings.

Applicant Matt Taylor (SCC), joined by client Joe Swanson III, explained the project layout, open space and that the amenity area is stormwater detention with no current playground plan; he said garages and driveway space would meet city requirements and that all units would be sold individually with mandatory HOA membership to maintain common areas.

During the public hearing a nearby resident (Sydney Jones) asked whether a playground was planned; Taylor said the green area is the detention basin and there was no playground in the current plan but the applicant would discuss options with the client. Commissioners asked about emergency access; Barbee said turn radii and hammerhead designs would be reviewed in site-plan review to ensure fire apparatus access.

A motion to approve the rezoning subject to staff comments passed on a roll-call vote (one abstention recorded). Staff will forward the commission's recommendation to the city council.