Commission hears concept plans for Herff Caldera tract; members question density, parking and walkability

Planner William Willingham introduced a discussion item for the Herff Caldera tract, a site just north of Herff Road and Old San Antonio Road. The developer (Scott Felder Homes) could not attend; Ashley Fairmont of Killen Griffin and Fairmont presented a conceptual plan seeking feedback. The concept repurposes an earlier townhome/townhouse plan into a single‑family, for‑sale community: about 30 lots across roughly 6.5 acres, average lot size ~6,500 sq. ft., with about one acre of open space and roughly 11 guest‑parking stalls near a proposed cul‑de‑sac.

Fairmont said the team would need variances or a PUD to reduce right‑of‑way width (from 60 to 46 ft), reduce pavement width (from 36 to 28 ft) and exceed the maximum cul‑de‑sac length; they also requested flexibility to measure driveway length from the curb rather than the right‑of‑way line to preserve lot depth for desired house sizes. The applicant sought feedback instead of formal action.

Commissioners raised multiple concerns: narrowing right‑of‑way and pavement could worsen parking conflicts and make the street feel constrained; limiting parking to garage spaces with an HOA restriction may be insufficient because residents often park on private streets; the project’s lack of sidewalks and limited guest parking run counter to the SoBo neighborhood goal of walkability; and a reduced lot count with more traditional sidewalks and larger lots might better meet community expectations. Several commissioners recommended exploring fewer homes with sidewalks and larger lots, or pursuing a PUD to clearly address waivers and homeowner responsibilities.

Next steps: staff and applicant will consider commissioner feedback and determine whether to pursue a PUD or variance requests, and return with a formal application that includes engineering and parking analysis.