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Commission approves Avilla (Villa) Lockwood project; neighbors press developer on Cosby Road, drainage and maintenance
Summary
The Planning & Zoning Commission approved annexation, rezoning and preliminary plat for Avilla (Villa) Lockwood, a 161-unit build-to-rent community on about 17.819 acres. The developer told the commission it will contribute roughly $1 million and dedicate land for Cosby Road improvements; neighbors raised concerns about runoff, Cosby Road capacity and greenbelt maintenance.
The Planning & Zoning Commission on June 11 approved the Avilla (Villa) Lockwood rezoning, planned-unit development and preliminary plat for 161 single-story build-to-rent homes on approximately 17.819 acres near BB Fielder and Cosby Road. The developer also filed an annexation request that will be considered by the city council.
Monica (city staff) said staff is comfortable recommending approval because the project is a high-quality transition between the retail corridor and adjacent single-family neighborhoods and will require standard permitting, including a TIA. Josh Eady, vice president of development for Next Metro Communities, described the product as build-to-rent single-story homes with private backyards, detached garages and community amenities. He told the commission Next Metro will contribute about $1,000,000 toward Cosby Road improvements and dedicate roughly 0.8 acres for future right-of-way.
Multiple nearby residents raised detailed concerns during the public hearing about drainage and flooding in the area, whether the proposed greenbelt and creek will be maintained, and the capacity and safety of Cosby Road. Pat Larkin and others warned that Cosby Road currently has limited capacity and that school pick-up and growing local traffic could create hazards unless road improvements are built in coordination with development. The developer and city staff said the development agreement and the TIA will guide off-site road improvements; the developer said the Cosby Road work would be coordinated with the subdivision improvements and potentially built at the same time as the private development.
Commissioners discussed the annexation and public-infrastructure ramifications and noted the project will bring tax revenue and infill of a long-vacant property. The commission approved the rezoning/PUD and the plat unanimously and directed staff to continue coordinating the TIA and development-agreement terms and to ensure the proposed right-of-way dedication and road-improvement funding are documented in the development agreement.
Next steps: the project will proceed to city council on annexation and rezoning items; the developer must submit a TIA and finalize a development agreement establishing the timing and scope of Cosby Road improvements and maintenance obligations for on-site greenbelt areas.
