Twelve bigger lots expected to attract larger home projects
The Aurora City Council approved the final plat and potential annexation into the city limits July 11 of a housing subdivision expansion project expected to add larger homes to the city’s housing inventory.
The council unanimously approved plans for the Northridge Second Addition, which will involve 12 large lots extending north of the Northridge First Addition, located north of Streeter Park along Highway 14.
“We’re ready to subdivide and plat 12 lots,” explained Gary Warren, speaking in favor of the project on behalf of Streeter LLC (a nonprofit entity working in partnership with the Farr and Wortman trusts) during a public hearing at the council’s July 11 meeting. “This is a segment of housing which involves a little larger lots likely to entertain a little higher priced homes, that’s our guess. Right now, Northridge First is pretty well full, with maybe one more lot to be sold or something like that. Most of these lots will be a little larger than most of the original Northridge lots, with some maybe the size of Parkview Estates or the McBride Subdivision, so that’s what we’re trying to do.”
No one else spoke either for or against the subdivision proposal, which Warren said started out with 60 or more lots extending all the way north to the cemetery. The plan was reduced down over time to 40, then 24 and eventually 12 lots, in an effort to “piece together” a plan that would work.
Council members had little discussion before voting unanimously to approve the preliminary and final plats, as well as the first of three readings required to annex the property into the city limits.
In other action during the hour-long meeting, the council heard reports from representatives with JEO Consulting regarding plans to renovate 1st Street from Highway 34 to the railroad tracks as well as a detention evaluation project on an area south of the Lincoln Creek Subdivision.
Steve Parr with JEO explained that large rain events have “overwhelmed that structure,” referring to an inlet which drains into the subdivision located west of 1st Street and east of Grant Street.
“There is an area inlet that is just south of the park area that’s supposed to pick up that storm water,” Parr said. “There’s been some rain events, from what we understand, that have overwhelmed that structure, so the purpose of this evaluation is to look at the feasibility of building a detention area south of the park property.”
Parr said JEO’s plan is to plot the various information out so that the council can see what the impact would be in that area, then make recommendations as to if it would be feasible to build a detention area, or not.
“There is plenty of room in there to build a detention cell, so that’s not an issue,” said Council President Dick Phillips, who was presiding over the meeting due to Mayor Marlin Seeman’s absence. “There is land there that could be acquired.”
“That’s what we’re going to find out,” Parr responded.
Parr then went on to explain “the Aurora 2023 Drainage Improvement Project,” which involves work on a “significant box culvert” located north of Highway 34 between the railroad right-of-way and the Grosshans International driveway.
What needs to happen now, he said, is to get a pipe or pipes built in from the north end of the culvert structure to protect the existing water main. He noted that topographic information will be sought to verify that the drainage area is on private property, and also to confirm the size of pipes needed to address the issue.
In other action, the council:
* heard a brief report from City Administrator Rick Melcher, who noted that the city is working with the Aurora Development Corporation on plans for the Mission Critical First Addition, which should be completed within the next month;
* approved a motion authorizing the mayor to sign/execute a contract with South Central Economic Development District for construction management services up to $10,000 for the 2022 Downtown Revitalization grant;
* approved a special designated liquor license for Deb Kalkwarf of Grandview Cafe for a fundraiser at The Leadership Center Aug. 12 from 5-11 p.m., and for a customer appreciation event at The Leadership Center Aug. 10 from 4:30-8:30 p.m.