Title
Rezoning Application by D.R. Horton, Inc. to Rezone Four Parcels Located at 31, 39, 41, and 49 Semple Farm Road [LRSN: 6001077, 6000966, 6001076, and 6001075] Totaling +/- 7.93 Acres, from One-Family Residential (R-11) District to Townhouse Multifamily Residential (MD-1) District with Conditions to Construct Townhomes on Fee-Simple Lots
Purpose
Update for November 13, 2024 City Council Meeting:
The applicant is requesting to defer the application in order to consider additional changes to the proffered conditions in light of the perspective of neighboring residents along Semple Farm Road.
The applicant hosted a community meeting on October 7, 2024. Thirty-five (35) people signed in at the meeting.
During the meeting, the residents expressed a number of concerns. Many opposed the project, and expressed the sentiment that townhouses and increased density along Semple Farm Road is inappropriate. Multiple people expressed concerns with traffic. It was acknowledged that a traffic study was conducted but that the calculations do not represent the lived experience. Semple Farm Road is a fairly narrow road lacking sidewalks and urban street lighting. People experience speeding, discomfort as pedestrians along the road, and concerns of danger as drivers routinely poorly time turning onto the street and cut other drivers off. The concerns regarding pedestrians and dangerous entry onto the road are elevated in the area of the proposed project. The subject property is close to the intersection with Neil Armstrong Parkway, at which is the commercial area for the community, attracting pedestrian traffic to restaurants and other businesses. Additionally, the residents shared that cars entering Semple Farm Road in a dangerous fashion is particularly pronounced at the entrance to the Falcon Creek apartments, which sits directly across from the subject property. The concern is that having additional vehicles entering Semple Farm Road in the same location will make it all the more dangerous.
Background Statement:
Rezoning application no. 24-0278 is a request by D.R. Horton, Inc. to rezone four parcels located at 31, 39, 41, and 49 Semple Farm Road [LRSN: 6001077, 6000966, 6001076, and 6001075], totaling +/- 7.93 acres, from One-Family Residential (R-11) District to Townhouse Multifamily Residential (MD-1) District with conditions to construct 67 townhomes on fee-simple lots.
The Hampton Community Plan (2006, as amended) designates portions of the subject properties as rural-density and high density residential for future land use. At 8.4 units per acre, the proposed density falls between the maximum units per acre recommended for rural density residential (3.5 units per acre) and the low end of high density residential (15 units per acre). Additional policies applicable to this land use application include encouraging and maintaining a diverse mix of housing types and values, promoting high quality design and site planning that is compatible with surrounding development, and encouraging high quality new developments that are compatible with surrounding neighborhoods.
There are fourteen (14) proffered conditions, including minimum and maximum unit count, conformance with the conceptual plan and elevations, high quality building and fencing materials, inclusion of community amenities, and resilient and sustainable elements. Additional proffered conditions can be found in the rezoning application.
Recommendations:
Rec
Staff Recommendation:
Approve with fourteen (14) proffered conditions
Planning Commission Recommendation:
Approve with fourteen (14) proffered conditions