FARMINGTON -- The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing Monday, July 28, on a proposed ordinance to establish design standards for multi-family housing developments in the city. The commission meets at 6 p.m. at Farmington City Hall.
Also on the agenda is a request to rezone property on Southwinds Drive from Residential-Office to Multi-Family 4. Commissioners tabled a vote on the request last month until its July meeting. The developer proposes to construct eight buildings, each with four two-story units, on the vacant site located behind Jim's Razorback Pizza.
The proposed ordinance to establish design standards for multi-family housing developments came about after developers approached the commission in May with concept plans for two multi-family developments, the one on Southwinds Drive and another on Broyles Street.
"It looks like there is a lot of construction about to happen and we'd like for the town to maintain its small town feel," said Robert Mann, commission chairman. "We want to make sure they do not put up a bunch of duplexes and apartments that would be an eyesore for the city."
Mann said the standards would make sure that developments fit in with the city.
He asked that if anyone has any questions, issues or concerns about the standards, they should come to the meeting to give their comments.
The purpose of the proposed ordinance is to establish standards for the orderly development of multi-family housing that positively impacts the general welfare, health and safety of citizens.
Other purposes, according to the eight-page draft, are that standards should foster the development of land in an orderly manner by both private and public interests which directly affects the economic value of said property and adjacent and surrounding properties and the standards are to preserve, protect and encourage the development of buildings that have distinguished architectural character and attractive appearance.
The proposal sets forth four basic standards: quality development, neighborhood community-building, contribute to attractive streetscape and enhanced security.
The provisions of the ordinance would apply to all new construction in MF-1 and MF-2 zones on a single lot or multiple acre tracts and to additions or alterations that would affect at least 50 percent of the gross square footage.
The standards would require site planning to enhance the city's appearance, assure strong neighborhoods and maintain and enhance the local, unique character of the city of Farmington.
As far as building designs, the proposed ordinance addresses walls and facades, windows, roof lines and main entrances. In addition, multi-family housing developments would have to follow the city's landscape ordinance. The ordinance also addresses lighting, landscape maintenance for good appearance and building maintenance.
Mann said the commission's goal is to have the new standards in place before any more multi-family housing developments take place. He added, though, that the commission would not recommend something just to have an ordinance in place. The commission wants to make sure the ordinance makes sense, he said.
An ordinance with design standards would have to be approved by the Farmington City Council.
Commissioner Judy Horne, who put the ordinance together for the commission's consideration, said she used standards and guidelines from other cities.
"It's especially important to have standards for multi-family developments because people are grouped closer together and often are grouped closer to single family residences," Horne said. "Being close to single family residences, it is extremely important that we have some good guidelines for developers. We want good guidelines to ensure that it is nice for everyone."
Secondly, Horne pointed out, Farmington has a reputation for being a great place to live and is receiving positive feedback from people in lots of different places.
"We want to do everything we can to make sure we keep that," Horne said.
Melissa McCarville, city business manager, said the commission is considering an ordinance on design standards to provide more consistency and a more aesthetically pleasing look for multi-family housing.
"They want to make sure it's not thrown up and done haphazardly, especially when it is in the middle of a residential area," McCarville said. "They are anxious to get it moving so when various developments come through, they will have something to hold them to."
QUOTE: "It's especially important to have standards for multi-family developments because people are grouped closer together and often are grouped closer to single family residences." -- Judy Horne, Commissioner
General News on 07/16/2014