Commission approves Amberly Place preliminary plat with conditions; allows slightly smaller lots and higher lot coverage for Foxborough parcel

The Planning Commission approved the Amberly Place preliminary plat for a Foxborough-area parcel at 979 North Amberly Drive, with staff and DRC recommending approval subject to correction of outstanding planning and engineering redlines and final City Council approval of a development agreement.

Planning staff explained the requested modifications to the R16 standards: “The minimum lot size in the R16 Zone is 6,000 square feet. They re requesting 5,760 square feet,” Mackenzie said, adding that the change affects only Lots 12–14 because of storm‑drain and water‑line easements. Staff also described a requested increase in maximum lot coverage from 60% to 75% to accommodate homeowner options such as future covered patios or detached structures, and a front-yard living-space setback request of 20 feet to keep porches forward and reduce garage prominence.

Applicant Jackson Haslam said Ivory Homes is working to join the existing HOA and reported outreach efforts; he said early vote results suggested the HOA consent threshold (0.667) was likely to be met. Commissioners asked technical questions about crawl spaces, parking stall length and the 20‑foot garage setback; staff said parking requirements (two spaces per unit, 9x18 stalls) and lot‑specific engineering reviews for basements and floodplain issues would apply. Commissioner Holbrook moved to approve the preliminary plat with the listed conditions; Commissioner Marsh seconded and the motion passed on voice vote.

The approval is preliminary; the developer must address staff nd engineering redlines and the development agreement will be considered by City Council for final action.