Changes OK'd for development

Changes OK'd for development
By Melissa Murphy/ MMurphy@TheReporter.com
Posted: 05/20/2009

Without any opposition, new changes have been made to a housing development in Vacaville.

The Planning Commission voted 6-0 Tuesday evening to approve a new housing plan and a revised plan for placement of the approved house models in the Southtown housing development.

Commissioner Dan Broadwater did not attend the meeting.

None of the neighbors from the Southtown development attended the meeting, which is quite contrary to a few months ago when several families voiced their disapproval to previous proposed changes.

As approved, housing developer D.R. Horton will discontinue the construction of previously approved Plan 1 and replace it with a new model, Plan 6.

Plan 6 will be slightly bigger than the previously approved plan and will be 1,797 or 1,993 square feet with three different elevation options.

Representatives of D.R. Horton believe the new model, with an optional three-car garage, is a better model and is in response to the housing market.

Commissioner Frank Crim agreed and said he's pleased that the new model creates an atmosphere that is compatible with the character of the neighborhood.

Last year, representatives from D.R. Horton requested a change to the plotting plan to allow wider, shallow-lot homes next to bigger houses.

After neighbors protested the change, commissioners denied the developer's request.

Also Tuesday, commissioners were given an update on the progress of amendments to the city's Land Use and Development Code.

Project Manager Fred Buderi said the purpose of reviewing the amendments was to remind commissioners that staff is still working on the amendments and to see if they needed to clarify or add anything.

Some of the amendments deal with setbacks for decks in residential zones, parking requirements for churches and off-site subdivision signs.

Buderi said the majority of the amendments are needed to correct or clarify terminology.

The information was presented to the commissioners for review. A public hearing will be held June 2 for residents to comment on the amendments.