- April 23, 2024
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A crossing guard waits for students on Airport Road across from Pathways Elementary School. A subdivision is proposed for the wooded area behind her. Photo by Wayne Grant
The wooded area at the corner of Tymber Creek Road and Airport Road will be the site of a new subdivision if approved by the City Commission. Photo by Wayne Grant
The green area would be wetlands preservation. The entrance would be on the right, off North Tymber Creek Road. Courtesy photo
Neighbors expressed several concerns at a meeting about a proposed housing development in a now-wooded area north of Airport Road between North Tymber Creek Road and Leeway Trail.
Worries such as water retention and traffic were discussed at the Neighborhood Meeting on Aug. 22 at City Hall. The purpose of the meeting, required by city code, was to answer questions from nearby residents, and their comments will be available for review by the Planning Board and City Commission when they consider approval. It will go before the Planning Board on Sept. 13. The first reading by the City Commission will be Oct. 16 and the second reading Nov. 5.
The plan for the development was detailed by Kimberly A. Buck, president of Alann Engineering Group Inc., who patiently responded to questions from the audience of about 50 people throughout her presentation at the one-hour meeting. Her firm is handling the project on behalf of the developer, Edward James Corp., of Orlando.
Asked about who owned the land, Buck said the owner is an entity called Enclave at Tymber Creek LLC., but ownership would transfer to the developer if approval for the housing is received.
WATER, WATER
The 85 acres of land, zoned Suburban Low Density Residential, would be the site for approximately 144 single-family lots, as well as recreational and natural areas.
Buck said Groover Branch, a flood plain on the site, would be maintained as wetlands with buffers. Plans call for a total of 23 acres of wetlands. There would be large retention ponds so water does not leave the new neighborhood.
Audience members were skeptical, saying the area is a lot wetter than it was at one time and more current surveys should taken. One speaker said that after a rain, Airport Road can be flooded, and they feared their adjacent property would be flooded.
Buck assured them that as part of the design process, new surveys would be updated by their environmentalist.
“Our goal is to make it better,” she said.
CARS AND KIDS
Audience members were concerned about students and parents walking in the area, and Buck said a sidewalk would be added on Leeway Trail and Airport Road. Pathways Elementary School is on Airport Road.
Some were concerned about an increased number of students, but Buck said Volusia County Schools estimated the increase of students at 43, and the school system could absorb them.
Buck said their traffic engineer estimated that an additional 107 trips would be made in the morning, and 144 in the evening. A turn-lane is planned for North Tymber Creek road, where the entrance will be.
However, audience members said they suspected other new developments in the area were not considered, and traffic would be much worse than they predict.
“Our traffic engineer will look at the plan and recommend any changes to the roads,” Buck said.
Another resident pointed out the bridge on Airport Road that travels over the interstate, saying there are no plans to widen it.
GOING THROUGH PHASES
The development style would be “cluster,” according to a handout at the meeting, with a goal to preserve trees and open space. Lot widths were reduced from an original 80 feet to 70 feet, so more natural area can be preserved. The houses would have front porches and two-car garages. Phase One would begin in the spring of 2019 and Buck estimated a year between the following three phases.
Buck said an environmental report shows a “low” likelihood of protected species. A nearby property owner said she sees deer in the evening and has seen gopher tortoises.
A field study was done and there are no archaeological resources, Buck said.
