Newberry Home Building Remains Strong

NEWBERRY ‒ The Newberry City Commission on Oct. 24 approved the Developer’s Agreement for Avalon Woods LLC Phase 2 and a resolution for approval of construction plans related to Phase 2.

Phase 2 is located east of US 27/State Road 45, on the north side of Northwest 16^th Avenue and consists of 26.59 +/- acres. The proposed population density of Phase 2 is approximately 10 persons per acre, with a building density of four per acre.

Conditions included in the agreement call for provision of utility infrastructure improvements, as well as who is responsible for which items and when. A total of 106 single-family residential units are planned for Phase 2.

The agreement calls for the City to provide potable water and sewer and the developer will extend service lines to accommodate the development. The Home Owners Association (HOA) documents are required to stipulate that the development is located next to a regional park with ball fields and other recreational uses from which lighting and noise may affect neighboring properties.

In a second action related to Avalon Woods Commissioners also unanimously approved a resolution for approval of construction plans related to Phase 2. Newberry Planning and Economic Development Director Bryan Thomas said the application was reviewed by the City’s Development Application Review Team (DART), and no objection was found with the request. The developer plans to develop the area defined as green space prior to beginning another phase of construction.

Lakota Subdivision

The Commission unanimously approved the Preliminary Plat and a special exception for a Small-Scale Rural Subdivision application for the proposed Lakota subdivision. The subdivision proposes 15 lots on 45.53 +/- acres with a density of one dwelling unit per three acres. The minimum lot size is two acres, and average lot size is 2.85 acres. Access is provided along the internal roads in the subdivision, which will be privately owned and maintained by a Homeowners Association (HOA). Electric utility services will be provided by Clay Electric. Potable water and wastewater services will be well and septic systems.

The developer voluntarily agreed to increase the undisturbed buffer from 25 feet to 40 feet along the western plat limits in lots five – eight and has agreed to a 50-foot perimeter buffer around the entire property. Ingress and egress is to 15^th Avenue and the subdivision will be a gated community. Concern about turnaround for emergency vehicles has been addressed, but will be considered further at a later hearing.

Prior to the acceptance of application for Final Plat, the developer is required to provide paving, grading and drainage drawings showing road access to lots five – seven.

Road Vacated

The City Commission has unanimously approved vacating a portion of Southwest 2^nd Avenue on first reading. The road is a 50-foot public right-of-way and runs between CSX Railroad right-of-way and Southwest 252^nd Street. It was created by plat dedication on the Original Newberry plat.

As the applicant was Mark and Betty Clark, Commissioner Clark stepped down from the dais and recused himself from consideration of the matter. The Clarks live at 180 S.W. 252^nd Street. Larry Lund, who lives at 210 S.W. 252^nd Street, is the owner south of the right-of-way and has signed the application consenting and accepting the vacation.

A power pole located in the middle of the right-of-way will remain and the City will maintain the easement. In vacating a roadway, the two property owners will receive half of the property or 25 feet each.

Entrance to Newberry

In other City business, the Commission has approved an “Entrance to Newberry” sign for approximately $40,000. City Project Manager Armon Lowery showed Commissioners three options for “Entrance to Newberry” signs. Commissioners voted for Option 1. The cost for masonry only is $22,800. However, by the time all is completed, the total cost will be approximately $40,000. An architectural drawing of the proposed sign will have to be completed prior to construction. City Manager Mike New said the funds are in the budget to pay for this expense. Commissioners also approved installing the sign at 202^nd Street and State Road 26/Newberry Road.

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