Planned unit development for manufactured homes draws resident concern; council takes no action

Thomas Butler presented a three-phase planned unit development (PUD) to the Afton Town Council on April 11 proposing manufactured homes at the intersection of Washington Street and Sixth Avenue for short-term or temporary rentals.

Under the plan, Phase I would place 10 units on Lot 6 (currently permitted for 15 RV pads), Phase II would add 14 units on Lot 7, and Phase III would replace 10 mobile homes on Lot 4. Butler told the Council setbacks, a lighting plan, drainage plan and snow removal plans were in place and said he would be willing to give the town four feet of property along an alley to widen the roadway from 16 to 20 feet.

Members of the public spoke against the proposal during the meeting. Derek Osborne, a trailer park resident, said he is concerned he would have to move and asked the Council to deny the project. Kelly Miller, an adjoining business owner, told the Council she is worried residents from the development would park on Main Street and displace customer parking and she questioned the project's density and appearance. Jerry Hansen, another resident, thanked Butler for investing in Afton but expressed concern about extra traffic and density.

The Afton Utility Board confirmed existing and required water and sewer connections: one lot currently has water connection and would be sold with the property; the other lot would be required to purchase connections as needed. The Afton Planning & Zoning Board approved the PUD with conditions, including: any substantial modifications require additional permitting; at least 300 square feet of recreational open space per unit; open-space recreational amenities such as a playground or picnic area; two off-street parking spaces per unit for phases II and III; attached front porches/decks; and perimeter privacy fencing or landscaped buffers adjoining commercial and residential uses. Planning & Zoning also required a drainage and lighting plan and that alleyway issues be resolved with the Town.

The council did not make a motion on the PUD at the April 11 meeting; Planning & Zoning's approval and the listed conditions were recorded in the minutes. The developer and Planning & Zoning will need to address the specified conditions and any outstanding utility or permitting issues before the council would act further.