Developer seeks replat, town residents question who will pay for proposed roundabout

At concept review the petitioner described plans to replat parcels in the Coffee Creek Center area that would create additional buildable lots and discussed a roundabout concept that had been floated with economic-development staff.

A resident asked bluntly, “Why does it always have to be on my dime as a town taxpayer?” Speakers highlighted that the area serves as a truck route and that adding four buildable lots could increase traffic at an intersection some participants said currently “doesn’t function properly.” The petitioner said he had paid about $10,000 for a traffic study by traffic engineers (Lawson Fisher Associates) and that economic-development staff had previously discussed the roundabout, including an idea that private/public cost-sharing (50%) might be possible.

Commissioners sought a clear statement of public benefit in exchange for allowing changes such as converting drainage easements into buildable lots; some commissioners encouraged the petitioner to pursue vertical mixed-use on downtown lots and to bring clearer plats showing what is not platted and what would be replatted. The petitioner said he plans to replat the parcel that contains Coffee Creek Watershed Conservancy infrastructure (the 'tuning fork' trail area) so that the infrastructure parcel can be conveyed to the conservancy; he said he will return next month with exhibits.

No binding commitment on funding the roundabout was made at the meeting; commissioners reiterated that any funding or ordinance amendments (for example to bar additional quick-service restaurants) would need council-level or separate approvals. The petitioner and commission agreed to continue the concept review process at the next meeting.