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Council advances Pabst Farms ‘Village Square’ rezoning and PD amendment; walking-path dispute remains
Summary
Council advanced changes to the Pabst Farms comprehensive plan and rezoned 21.3 acres for a mix of senior housing and single-family homes; residents applauded redevelopment but many objected to a proposed walking path through Village Crossing citing privacy, drainage and ADA concerns. Developer representatives pledged further design work and a Valley Road sidewalk connection.
The Common Council on June 16 advanced comprehensive‑plan amendments, rezoning and a planned‑development amendment for 21.3 acres at Valley Road and Pabst Farms Circle, a project branded in materials as Village Square. The change would convert roughly 10.5 acres to medium‑density residential and 10.8 acres to high‑density residential intended for senior housing (independent living, memory care, cottages), plus retained commercial parcels.
Jason summarized the developer’s proposal and said the plan commission recommended the ordinance amendments and PD overlay changes. Developer representatives said they have prospective tenants and uses lined up for several parcels, including a daycare and small strip retail for commercial lots, and have a master plan that would bring senior housing and single‑family units to the formerly commercial area.
The most contentious topic at the hearings was a proposed walking path that, residents said, was not part of the conditions they were told about when purchasing property in Village Crossing. Multiple residents said the walking path would run uncomfortably close to condo patios and basement windows, would require removing mature trees, and could worsen drainage and trespassing. “If this walking path proposal is eventually approved ... our privacy and that of our neighbors will be significantly infringed upon,” Nancy Rice said, pointing to a proposed path alignment a few feet from her basement bedroom window.
Developer Brian Bell and his design team responded that they have worked with R.A. Smith to study elevations, grades and alternative alignments. Bell said preliminary redesigned alignments reduce tree removals and increase the buffer from homes; he committed to continued engagement and to explore a connection to a Valley Road sidewalk so the path ties into the broader community network. Councilmembers asked that the developer and staff continue design review with HOA representatives and that ADA compliance and maintenance responsibility be clarified before construction.
Council members took first readings and advanced three related ordinances (comp‑plan amendment, rezoning, PD amendment). The council also discussed but did not act on whether construction of the Village Crossing side of the walking path will be a private developer/city decision; staff reiterated that approval tonight for rezoning does not authorize work on private HOA land without separate approvals.
What happens next: the project advances through ordinance readings and subsequent site‑specific approvals (subdivision plats, CUPs for the senior facility, architectural reviews). The developer and HOA members indicated further path design work and an ongoing series of meetings to attempt a compromise on alignment, screening and ADA issues.
