Neighbors push developer to drop street extension, seek single-family commitment on 3.8-acre site

Neighbors near a proposed 3.8-acre rezoning repeatedly told council they do not want a street extension through their subdivision and urged the developer to commit to single-family homes rather than townhomes or apartments.

At a public hearing, the developer’s representative said the team would convert the conventional filing to a conditional petition and consider covenant or site commitments. “We’re prepared to do single family,” the petitioner’s representative said, adding the developer would work with staff and the neighborhood on the Ridgeline connection and traffic-calming options.

Several neighbors and Hampton Place Property Owners Association president Thomas Sharkey (speaking as Mr. Sharkey) described traffic and safety worries tied to the existing cut-through pattern and warned that extending Ridgeline could increase dangerous speeds through the neighborhood. “If for whatever reason this does get approved by you guys we need speed bumps throughout Hampton Place,” Mr. Sharkey said, requesting city assistance on near-term calming measures.

Resident Selena Zaria told council that neighbors feared loss of mature trees and changes in neighborhood character, and asked for better explanation of the proposed zone (“N1E”) and what lot sizes the petition would allow. The developer said they would explore options including conservation easements or preserved tree canopy along the rail/right-of-way to provide noise and privacy benefits and would consider funding or partnering on speed bumps.

Councilmembers urged staff and the petitioner to return with a conditional plan that clarifies lot size, access and connectivity and to examine policy changes to better bake such neighborhood protections into the rezoning process. The public hearing was closed after the petitioner agreed to continue community engagement and to explore conditional commitments.