Neighbors seek larger buffers, fences and retention-pond tweaks; developer offers larger setback

Multiple affected parties spoke about buffers and farm safety during the hearing. Jeff Price (Button Bay Farm) urged the commission to require clearer setbacks and fences between estate lots and his horse paddocks to reduce the risk that children or animals could inadvertently be endangered. He asked whether retention-pond siting could be revised to link open spaces and aid wildlife connectivity; staff and the developer said the site’s geotechnical constraints limit pond placement but agreed to review options.

In direct response, developer Luis Diaz offered to double the typical rear setback for the estate perimeter lots adjacent to the farm—from 10 feet to a proposed 20 feet—and noted the developer’s usual practice that homeowners will erect fences within their private property lines. Commissioner Cornell and staff accepted the offer as a mitigation measure; staff noted landscape-buffer maintenance is typically the responsibility of the homeowners association and the developer confirmed common-area parcels would be conveyed to the association.

The board recorded the increased setback and directed staff to ensure any final plan or condition language clearly documents responsibility for fence construction, buffer maintenance and exact setback measurements.