City board approves plat, to go before council

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RV resort permit OK’d, engineering next

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A seven-lot subdivision plat took another step forward Tuesday night as the Zoning Board of Adjustments approved it and a special use permit for a new RV and cabins resort, both of which will be presented to the Sulphur Springs city council.

The plat request came from owner Tate Price for property located on Woodside Lane just west of Woodbridge Square. It is currently a blank 1.93-acre plot, and Price aims to redevelop it as seven smaller lots for duplexes.

However, the property’s zoning as multifamily caused the need for variances for the depth of its seven lots. According to Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski, multifamily properties typically need a minimum of a 100-foot lot depth, but the plat lists the depth at 88 feet.

“The properties to the west of this and duplex that abut this, those were all developed with 80- foot deep lots as well, so they were conforming to the 2-family development criteria,” Niewiadomski said, adding the similarities worked in the request’s favor.

The subdivision will also have a dedicated public street to be called Beechwood Court, and the new street creates a shorter-than-required setback for a corner lot. Niewiadomski acknowledged Price could have developed the lot without the street by instead installing a private drive, but the dedication of a public street allows the property to subdivided and sold as separate lots.

“The properties to the west of this and duplex that abut this, those were all developed with 80- foot deep lots as well, so they were conforming to the 2-family development criteria,” Niewiadomski said.

Twenty-one notices went out to nearby landowners, and two were received back in opposition of the requested variances, one stating “merits of the variance request do not support approval.” The same letter further argued the special condition causing the variance is self-imposed by requesting a dedicated, city-maintained street.

Niewiadomski acknowledged variances were not necessary to the development of the property but added “the proposal is consistent with the Woodbridge Crossing pattern of development that has already been established.”

The plat was approved with the condition that drainage will be privately maintained by the property owners that abut drainage easement areas.

The board also approved a special use permit for Ladera RV Resort & Cabins to operate at 1196 Jefferson Street at the corner of Loop 301, a property spanning 48 acres. According to owner Cole Heitman, the grand entrance will be located on Loop 301, and the resort will be an upscale, modern take on RV camping.

Niewiadomski noted engineering is yet to be done, and part of the filed conceptual plan, such as refitted shipping containers for laundry and washrooms, may have to be changed. Changes will have to be approved by the ZBA and P&Z again, and the permit can be reconsidered if too many noise complaints or related problems occur.