During the recent Derby Planning Commission meeting on Feb. 20, commissioners considered a zone change to facilitate a housing and commercial development at the increasingly popular intersection of Rock Road and 55th Street South.
Within the past couple of years, the Planning Commission has approved zone changes and plans for developments at both the southeast (Sky Ridge) and northeast corner (Greenwood Village) of the 55th/Rock intersection – with City Planner Scott Knebel noting the latest bears a striking resemblance.
“This is almost a mirror request to what we approved on the southeast corner,” Knebel said.
As presented, the proposal requested not one but two zone changes to the 36.43-acre property that was annexed into the Derby city limits as of last year. One zone change would shift the property from R-1 single-family residential to R-2 two-family residential along the west 26.75 acres, while the other request would be to shift the 9.68 acres of land that makes up the northwest corner of 55th and Rock from R-1 to B-3 (general business).
Knebel noted that uses allowed in B-3 general business districts typically include retail stores, restaurants, convenience stores, office buildings, service businesses, etc.
Presenting the findings of fact, the commission was in agreement with Knebel’s report, though he did note that in looking at the character of the neighborhood the future growth was taken into consideration. While most of the surrounding area is currently used as R-1, that will be changing over the next several years given previous action taken by the Planning Commission.
“We have approved zoning changes on the east side of Rock Road that will change this area significantly over the next 20 years,” Knebel said. “This area will be something much more like Patriot and Rock 20 years from now.”
During a public hearing, the commission heard from local resident Jesse Whitmore who lives west of the property in question. Whitmore presented no opposition but wanted to clarify if staff/developers know the extent of floodplain issues – which it was noted would be addressed during platting – and the height requirements associated with the development. Knebel noted that buildings in R-2 districts can be up to 35 feet in height, or three stories tall.
Outside of that, Jay Cook with Baughman Company spoke on behalf of the applicant and noted they are in agreement with staff suggestions. Namely, there was one item Knebel said was recommended.
While screening is required between the commercial and residential districts, given the higher volume of housing in R-2 districts compared to the surrounding R-1 area to the west, staff did suggest leaving the 150-foot stretch of land on the west end of the tract as R-1 for single family homes – to make for an easier transition.
The Planning Commission voted 8-0 to recommend approval of the zone change request to the Derby City Council.
