TOWN STAFF REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS
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Discuss, consider and act on a request from Pearson 35 Opportunities, LLC to deviate from the required first floor square footage in Westlake Ranch by removing that provision and allowing the building setbacks to govern.
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STAFF: Jason Alexander, AICP, CEcD, Deputy Town Manager
BACKGROUND:
Ordinance No. 928, adopted by the Town Council on May 24, 2021, the PD, Planned Development District standards for Westlake Ranch enable the design and construction of up to 32 detached single-family residences.
The provisions within the PD, Planned Development District provide the conventional standards (e.g., density, lot size, permitted uses, setbacks, height, et cetera) for development. Some of the standards, however, do impose some limitations on the design and construction of houses that may not be responsive to changes in market demand and market preferences.
In particular, the provision that the maximum first floor under roof is 7,800 square feet not only limits the ability of the developer (and the builders) to respond and adapt to changes in the marketplace. Further, this restriction stymies architectural creativity and expression that is inherent to the visual aesthetic of Westlake.
Accordingly, the request from the developer is not to modify any of the density limitations or lot sizes; rather, it is a request to remove the limitation that the first floor cannot exceed a maximum square footage of 7,800 square feet. This will allow the developer (and the builders) to be more responsive to market preferences and innovative with building design and architecture.
DISCUSSION:
The request is to modify the provisions of the PD, Planned Development District standards for Westlake Ranch so that the maximum first floor under roof does not exceed 40 percent of the individual lot square footage. The intent of this request is to provide flexibility for the square footage on the first floor. While the proposed development stand...
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