A neighborhood spoke and a landowner listened.
Last month the Clear Lake City Council was presented a plan to create a recreational vehicle campground on South Shore Drive. The Council, acting on a recommendation from the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission, denied a rezoning request made by AKK Investment Properties LLC, of Webster City. The group was seeking to rezone 7.45 acres of land at 2605 South Shore Drive from low-density residential to intensive commercial.
The Council and P&Z members agreed with property owners in the area who felt the zoning change would lower home values and disrupt their quiet neighborhood.
The property owners apparently took the decision to heart and a new idea has been presented.
On Sept. 6, City Administrator Scott Flory told the Council a new re-zoning request for the property has been made. Single family and twin homes are now proposed for the site.
Brian Ridge, of Ridge Development, attempted to put adjacent residents and neighbors at ease about a new proposal for the property by inviting them to an informal meeting Wednesday night at City Hall on Sept. 14.
In a letter sent to neighbors before the meeting, Ridge stated his firm had been contacted to find a way to effectively develop the land in a manner that blends well with the neighborhood.
“We have come up with a concept that efficiently uses the seven acres by bringing a use of single-family homes and/or twin homes all while meeting development guidelines and proper storm waterdrainage. This community will be a market-rate high quality housing project that will open up new opportunities for the growing need for housing in Clear Lake,” the letter stated.
The developers also tried to put minds at ease by saying they intend to establish a homeowners association to ensure the upkeep and maintenance of homes and landscaping. In addition, traffic will only have a single entrance and exit to alleviate traffic concerns.
Information presented at the Sept. 6 Council meeting detailed a 22-lot residential subdivision, consisting of single-family dwellings and duplexes (twin homes). A change in zoning, from RS-5 (Single-Family Residential) to RS-8 (Medium Density Single-Family Residential) is necessary to enable construction of the twin homes.
Planning and Zoning is tentatively slated to consider the proposal at its Sept. 27 meeting. The City Council could act on its recommendation at its Oct. 3 regular meeting.
