Hidden Hills mailboxes P&Z topic
In the first of two actions related to the new Hidden Hills Subdivision, the Navasota Planning and Zoning Commission denied Ante Development, LLC’s variance request regarding cluster mailboxes at its Oct. 14 Regular Meeting. The vote followed a public hearing with no comments against the variance request. The 105-home subdivision is located along Laredo Street off N. LaSalle. Chapter 10 Subdivision Regulations, Article 7, Section 7.13 requires a minimum of two-vehicle off-the-street access to cluster mailboxes for pedestrian safety and traffi c right of way. If approved, the developer would not have been required to provide offstreet parking for the mailboxes which will serve Phases 1 and 2 residents.
According to Development Services Director Lupe Diosdado, instead of constructing the mailbox area at the entrance of the subdivision, Ante requested to place it between the sidewalk and curb inside the subdivision at a location where no homes will be constructed.
Citing issues with traffic entering from Laredo Street and “looping around” to get to the mailboxes, Engineer Jeff Robertson said, “We’re trying to keep the mailboxes off Laredo Street and keep it internal to the subdivision.”
After commissioners pondered other potential locations, Commissioner Carolyn Katkoski said, “Cluster mailboxes need to be taken into consideration from the conception of the property before we start doing plats and everything else because we seem to be meeting consistently on variances.”
Acting on a second Ante Development agenda item, P&Z approved the final site plan for the 17.675 acre Phase 1 contingent upon city council approval of a Subdivision Agreement and denial of the variance request. In accordance with Article 6 of Subdivision Regulations, Ante Development, LLC has agreed to enter a Subdivision Agreement with the City to allow the plat to be filed before all improvements are completed, The developer has placed $39,288.40 in escrow to cover the cost of streetlights, the cluster mailbox area and electric infrastructure.
Diosdado said, “The subdivision looks great. Staff couldn’t be happier with the result. Essentially, by approving the Subdivision Agreement, it allows staff to file that plat which allows the developer to start building homes. We hold those dollars until those things are completed and we refund that money back.”
Frank’s Towing to expand Commissioners also approved a preliminary site plan application submitted by Jonathan Vacante for Block 10, Lots 3, 6, 7 and part of 8 at 608 S. LaSalle Street for development of a parking lot. A parking lot is a permitted use in the B-1, General Business District. According to Vacante, the lot will serve Frank’s Towing across the street and represents “phase one of a bigger picture of building a nicer, newer shop.” The parking lot will be fully fenced, landscaped with flowers and shrubs and the existing large trees will be preserved. In other action, commissioners approved the minutes of the Sept. 22 meeting. The meeting may be viewed in its entirety at https:// www.navasotatx.gov/planning- zoning-commission.