While a local developer makes plans to build multi-family residences — where horses graze along Highway 6 near the intersection of Heritage Road — nearby residents are joining forces to decide what can be done to protect their interests.
Before Rick Lunnon of Eagle Ridge Lunnon LLC can be approved to build, he needs an amendment to the original Planned Unit Development to allow zoning for multi-family residences.
About 35 local residents of the StoneBridge neighborhood hope that doesn’t happen, and they met Monday, Aug. 28, to discuss common concerns.
The Eagle Ridge Center property — a 16-acre parcel along Highway 6 — is zoned for commercial and office use.
Land developer Clay Wade, who represents Lunnon, wants a PUD amendment to allow zoning for multi-family residences.
The result would be 170,000 square feet of commercial space and a maximum of 300 dwellings. Under the plan, building heights would increase from 35 feet to 55 feet.
Acknowledging that the site is considered a ‘Gateway to Golden,’ Wade said the area should reflect both the natural and human environments.
The land parcel is in a desirable place because of its close proximity to the future light rail station, Wade said.
“It makes sense for higher intensity use at this location,” he said, citing Transit Oriented Development gaining nationwide popularity.
The plan also embraces a live/work mentality, where Americans are growing tired of the commute and yearn to have a home and office in the same residence, Wade said.
“It’s patterned after mom-and-pop living over the store.”
There is also a growing market for “active adults,” ages 55 and older, who no longer wish to maintain a yard, but desire easy access to the golf course, water park and ski areas.
A building plan has not been finalized, though Wade predicts seven or eight loft-style structures in a linear configuration against the hogback.
The 35 residents worry about the disruption of wildlife if a development is constructed.
They voiced concerns about drainage, the environment and an increase in traffic.
Resident Russel Hawkins led the Monday discussion and calculated that the traffic from 300 units — at an occupancy rate of 85 percent, with 2.1 cars per occupied unit at a 79 percent automobile-use rate — would result in 846 cars accessing the lone entrance of Warner Drive during rush hour.
Those numbers don’t include traffic resulting from commercial space, combined with the typical rush-hour congestion at the intersection of Highway 6 and Heritage Road.
Residents also worried that the 55-feet-tall buildings would obstruct their mountain views.
Wade argued that 55 feet is below the top of the hogback when looking at an upward angle from where many of the surrounding homes are situated.
The land developer also noted that the buildings would be constructed 20 feet from the existing property line — double the required 10-foot setback.
“We’re trying to be good neighbors,” Wade said.