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Del City council denies high‑density PUD after safety and service concerns
Summary
The Del City council voted to deny a planned‑unit development that would have subdivided ~1 acre near Hidden Creek into nine small lots, citing fire access, trash pickup and infrastructure concerns. Staff had said setbacks met code but engineering drawings were not yet provided.
The Del City council on May 18 voted to deny a request to approve a planned‑unit development (PC PUD 668‑25) that would have allowed nine houses on about one acre near the Hidden Creek subdivision.
City planner Andrew Myers told the council the applicant proposed increasing lot coverage from about 40% to roughly 80% to accommodate nine “shotgun‑style” homes on a single acre. Myers said setbacks would remain (20 feet front, 25 feet front for some lots, five feet side, 10 feet between houses, 15 feet rear) but the higher lot coverage would substantially increase density.
The council’s debate focused on emergency access, sanitation services and neighborhood impacts. Several members raised the prospect that a shared driveway would make it difficult for fire and service vehicles to reach properties and questioned how bulk‑trash and sanitation pickup would function in very tight configurations. One council member said practical questions about driveway width, curb access and curbside service had not been answered and argued the lack of engineering drawings made the conceptual approval premature.
In the motion to deny, the council cited concerns that the proposed density could impede fire and emergency access, complicate sanitation routing and produce inequitable service for neighboring residents. The motion carried by recorded vote: Councilman Tatum—Aye; Councilman Brown—No; Councilman Finch—Aye; Councilman Dean—Aye; Mayor votes Aye. The council also voted to take no further action on the plat item tied to the PUD.
Why it matters: The decision preserves current R‑1D expectations for lot coverage in the area and signals the council will require detailed engineering and service‑delivery solutions before approving higher‑density infill projects. Developers seeking similar density gains will likely need to present engineering plans showing fire‑lane compliance and sanitation access before council consideration.
What’s next: Staff said if the applicant chooses to return, the project would require full plan review and approvals from fire, sanitation and building inspections before any building permits could be issued.
