The developer planning a 101-home subdivision on Vernonview Drive in Mount Vernon will need to provide more than one entrance to the property and a stormwater management plan before it can be considered in a public hearing by the Mount Vernon Municipal Planning Commission.
"The city has no anticipation of assisting this developer and pursuing HUD funding, and they have no anticipation of pursuing HUD housing in that area. They want these to be owner-occupied, not rentals," said Tanner Salyers, a member of the municipal planning commission and the city's Safety-Service director, according to a YouTube video of the April 14 meeting.
According to the meeting agenda, the proposed development on the 39.9-acre property between Upland Terrace and Woodside Drive would be named Arista Villas. Chris Wallace, the attorney representing the developer, said that the subdivision would be constructed in two phases. The first phase would include lots one through 72, followed by lots 73 through 101. Wallace noted that homes are expected to be stick-built and range from 1,500 to 2,000 square feet in size. He mentioned previous discussions indicating home prices would likely fall between $350,000 and $400,000.
Wallace also said that the developer plans to collaborate with a local builder to construct quality homes that would enhance rather than detract from neighborhood values.
Salyers emphasized that alternatives for access must be considered by the developer. He explained that for public services like snow plowing or emergency response, having only one entrance is impractical and potentially hazardous for a community with so many residents.
City Engineer Brian Ball added that a transportation plan developed under a previous mayor requires at least three exits from such sites. Additionally, screening requirements were not addressed in the current site plan provided by the developer. Mayor Matt Starr indicated that due to numerous trees being removed for construction, approval from the city's Shade Tree and Beautification Commission is necessary for any tree replacement schedule.
