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Developer says PUD needed to hit starter‑home price; aims for $400,000 homes
Summary
Diamond Holdings' representative told the commission the PUD overlay enables design flexibility and lower infrastructure costs needed to deliver starter homes, estimating a target price point of about $400,000 and stating homes would not have basements below the groundwater.
During the public hearing on ZPU 26‑007, developer John Laufer spoke to neighbors' concerns and described the project's design and market intent.
Laufer said the PUD overlay allows narrower streets and design flexibility that lower infrastructure cost per unit, which the developer was counting on to deliver starter homes at an affordable price point. “We are trying to hit 400,000,” he said when asked for a price target. Laufer also addressed water and construction methods, saying the project would not include homes with basements under the groundwater and that swales, berms and retention ponds would be used to manage stormwater.
Neighbors expressed skepticism about the affordability claim and warned of possible foreclosure and rental conversion risks when developments face market stress; the developer replied that the plan included two‑car attached garages and additional parking and that RS4 rules also could require retention ponds regardless of overlay.
