A housing development that would include 117 single-family homes and 44 duplexes moved another step forward Wednesday night.

The Planning Commission approved the preliminary plat application for the Holladay Woods development during its meeting. The 65.6-acre Holladay Woods development is at Cedar and 18th streets. 

There will also be five tracts of open space, including one park that will utilize the existing pond. Plans have not been finalized, but it might have a trail and serve as a nature area.

Developer Dustin Baker said the city requirement for green space is 10%, but the Holladay Woods development has 15%. 

“We feel like we’re in conformance,” Baker said. “We’re excited about the project.”

Commissioner Patrick Jankowski asked if the park space will be turned over to the city and require city maintenance.

City Manager Zack Daniel said it would, but he said the Parks and Recreation Department is excited about the potential space and does not have concerns.

Resident Maggie Bratcher said she lives right next to the Holladay development on Spruce Street. She asked the developers about what will happen to the tree line between her property and the development.

“Is that tree line being touched? Is that tree line protected?” Bratcher said.

Resident Marc Roberts lives on 18th Street, and he also asked if they’re keeping that tree line intact as well.

Baker said he plans to keep both tree lines. 

“Trees are better for everybody,” Baker said. “It’s better for us as developers to have as many trees as we possibly can. Obviously, we have to build houses, too.”

Roberts also asked if the developers have plans for construction routes. Baker said they’re not sure, but they won’t use 18th Street. Chairman Grant Martin said they will probably use 15th Street.

Bratcher said developers and the city should keep in mind that 15th and Acorn streets have a busy bus stop with lots of foot traffic when kids get off of school.

In July 2024, Spruce Street experienced flooding. Bratcher and another resident, Kim Lanning, asked developers if the new houses will increase storm runoff and flood risks.

Civil engineer Justin Milburn said they will install two retention basins to ensure that doesn’t happen.

“That’ll meter the flow,” Milburn said. “So it will slow it down, and then release it at a rate that is equal to or less than what it is today.”

Daniel also said the city checks for stormwater runoff when reviewing application materials and hasn’t flagged anything of concern.

Martin said he really likes the plan for the Holladay development and wants to see it keep moving forward.

“I know that it’s been a little bit of a bumpy road to get to this point, but I’m very appreciative of all you guys have done,” Martin said. “We’re still trying to maintain the integrity of the community, being respectful of the cemetery, I think the traffic pattern is as good as it can be.”

The developers said they are not doing any work with the cemetery and are leaving a 50-foot buffer. 

Commissioner Lewis Cox said he likes the green space and trail idea.

“I think it’s neat that you left the pond and the green space in that northeast section,” Cox said.

The preliminary plat was passed unanimously, but the commission will need to review it again since it was not final. Jankowski said the developers and commission can work out the kinks later.

In other business, the commission approved both the final plat application and site plan for the Compton Addition south of East 15th Street and east of Church street. This plot is 2.75 acres and will have three apartment buildings. 

Each building will have 24 dwelling units for a total of 72.

In January, the Board of Zoning Appeals approved a parking reduction from the required total of three spaces to 1.5 spaces per dwelling.

Joy Rhea, a landscape architect with the developer McClure Engineering, said they plan to build a pedestrian walkway that will connect up Church Street until 15th Street.

“We’re starting with just mainly making sure that we’re connecting the residents of the site to the city itself,” Rhea said.

The site plan also includes an outdoor patio recreation area and a fenced-in artificial turf area for dogs. Rhea said the patio area might include a firepit and gas grill.

“They’re really putting some thought behind making spaces for residents to enjoy,” Rhea said.

Commissioner Aaron Thakker said he likes the dog park and thinks it’s a good use of space.

Commissioners voiced concerns with the trash collection on the property. Right now, the site plan proposes one enclosed trash area that holds two dumpsters.

Jankowski asked if there is a square foot requirement for trash receptacles, but Building Administrator Curt Baumann said there’s not and it is up to the developer.

Martin said he also wants to take a look at the trash situation, but Daniel and Rhea said they could implement multiple solutions like additional pickups outside of the normal schedule.

Overall, the Compton Addition agenda items passed unanimously. 

“I love how this lays out,” Martin said. “I know you’ve had to move things around and play Tetris with stuff a little bit.”

He said he thinks it’s going to be great for the city and give residents some options.

At the beginning of the meeting, Sam Campbell took an oath of office as a new commissioner. Martin welcomed the new commissioners, who include Campbell, Cox and Jankowski.

“[I] appreciate your willingness to be here with us,” Martin said. “I’m happy to have you here.”

Reach reporter Bella Waters at [email protected].