Planning commission approves multiple subdivisions and annexations as neighbors urge delay over unfinished drainage

The City of Conway Planning Commission on July 9 approved a batch of subdivision master-plan revisions, annexations and a reduced letter of credit, while several nearby residents urged the commission to defer action on a Riverwood rezoning until on-site drainage and catch-basin work is completed.

The commission approved a revised master plan for Maple Grove Phase 10, part of the Collins Jolly development, after staff said the latest plan reduced overall density and increased open space. Staff reported the previously approved master plan contained 692 dwelling units and about 70.8 acres of open space; the revised plan proposes 606 dwelling units, increases open space to approximately 80.25 acres and includes 94 semi-attached duplex units on fee-simple lots. Staff also asked the commission to approve two new street names — Whirlybird and Maple Syrup Tree — subject to final technical review. The commission voted to approve the revision contingent on final review by the technical review committee.

The commission also approved Oak Haven, an in-common single-family development of 10 detached homes on roughly 1.6 acres with 22 parking spaces. Staff said, and the applicant confirmed, that because the site does not require a full acre of on-site open space the proposal will use the Unified Development Ordinance''s fee-in-lieu option to meet open-space requirements.

Commissioners approved Phase 2 of South Oaks, a request for four single-family lots, with the fee-in-lieu amount for required open space calculated at $36,000 under the city's adopted fee schedule.

For Collins Walk Phase 2 (57 townhome lots), staff told the commission the existing letter of credit was roughly $349,276 and set to expire July 23. Staff said the developer has completed the majority of required public improvements and requested the LOC be reduced to $79,770 and extended for one year to secure finishing landscaping, sidewalks and the final asphalt surface course. The commission approved staff's recommendation.

The commission also advanced several annexation-and-zoning items. It recommended annexation and R-1 (low-to-medium density residential) zoning for parcels at 921 Buccaneers Cove and 500 West Cox Ferry Road, and it recommended light-industrial zoning upon annexation for 158 Gardner Lacy Road to reflect the longstanding industrial use of Southern Sun Awnings. At a Highway 501 property occupied by a heavy-equipment sales and rental business, the applicant's agent (David Schwert of Diamond Shores) told the commission the owner plans fence relocation and voluntary front-yard improvements; staff recommended light-industrial zoning to avoid creating a new nonconforming use along the corridor, and the commission approved the request.

The Riverwood at Sherwood Forest rezoning generated the meeting's most sustained public opposition. Jason Collins, a neighbor at 313 Country Club Drive, told the commission the catch basins in front of his house "are 6 inches higher than the bottom of the ditch," said drainage grading has not been completed, and asked the commission to defer the rezoning until infrastructure affecting neighbors is finished. Another resident, who identified himself as DeBusk, and other neighbors submitted photos and described eroded ditches, high grass and driveways left unfinished for nearly a year. Residents pressed the commission to require remediation before approving any new changes.

Staff and the applicant's representative, Scott Davis of Beverly Homes, told the commission some of the outstanding issues involve the state Department of Transportation (DOT) and a required final asphalt lift tied to DOT approval of a turn lane and related testing. Davis said contractors were on-site this week to clean yards and that final grading and asphalt would follow DOT testing and approval. Staff noted zoning consideration is limited to land-use classification and said permitting or occupancy controls could be used administratively if warranted. After hearing public comment and applicant remarks, commissioners voted to recommend the Riverwood rezoning rather than defer it.

Several agenda items were deferred at applicants' requests to the August 6 meeting, and the commission also moved its October meeting date from October 1 to October 8 to avoid conflicts with city events.

The commission closed the meeting after staff briefings on upcoming comprehensive-plan outreach and public-survey results.