HomeMy WebLinkAboutVariance Request ANIMATE HABITAT Pr.,-NSE 1 — PRELIMINARY PLAT
VARIANCE REQUEST
The Developer is requesting a Variance consideration for the following item:
Sidewalks
According to the Subdivision Regulations (Chapter 9, Section 8.M, Sidewalks), a subdivision is required
to provide a sidewalk along all rights-of-way greater than 60 feet. The Developer is requesting a Variance
to the Subdivision Regulations to allow them to omit the sidewalk along the State Hwy. 6 right-of-way on
the west side of the proposed subdivision. The Developer would like to note that the proposed project
would provide for the appropriate sidewalks to allow for pedestrian movement within the boundary of the
development.
Response to Subdivision Regulations, Section 5, Variances:
5-A.1: The Developer is submitting this Variance Request for the following reasons:
• Due to the traffic volume and traffic speed along the access road to State Hwy. 6, it is
unreasonable to think that pedestrians will utilize a sidewalk in this area. The Developer
believes that utilizing such sidewalks with small children and pets would be potentially
dangerous.
• A sidewalk in this location would provide connectivity to nothing. All existing
developments along State Hwy. 6 in this area do not provide sidewalks.
• Typically, TxDOT does not permit others to construct sidewalks within their right-of-way.
TxDOT constructs their own sidewalks when they see a need. During the recent
Nantucket overpass construction, which included work to the access roads, and
ingress/egress lanes, TxDOT chose not to provide sidewalks in this area.
• The City of College Station's Bikeway and Pedestrian Plan currently does not provide for
connectivity in this area. All proposed bikeway and pedestrian routes within the Parent
Tract (Animate Habitat property) are intended to occur along interior streets and
roadways within the development. The Developer would like to continue with the
proposed plan. (See attached Bikeway and Pedestrian Plan)
5-A.2: The basis of any land use regulation is to provide a method to insure that the public good is met
in every new development within the community. The Developer intends to provide adequate
sidewalks to allow for pedestrian movement within the proposed development. Looking more
broadly, the Developer of the Parent Tract intends to accommodate for bike and pedestrian
circulation along interior routes. Bike and pedestrian pathways along State Hwy. 6 would be
unnecessary. The Developer is upholding, and in some cases, exceeding the basic requirements
of the Subdivision Regulations and believes that omitting the sidewalks along Stage Hwy. 6 would
not create an undesirable situation for the City of College Station.
5-A.3: The Developer intends to provide adequate pedestrian and vehicular circulation within the
boundaries of the proposed development. By doing such, the Developer believes they will be
providing a quality development that will meet, and in some cases exceed, the standards
expected by the residents of the community and the developers of adjacent existing and
proposed subdivisions, and further create a product consistent with the land use of the
surrounding property. Based on this, the proposed subdivision "will not be detrimental to the
public health, safety, or welfare, or injurious to other property in the area." The Developer would
venture to comment that providing bike and pedestrian pathways along this portion of Hwy. 6
could create a safety concern for sidewalk users with small children or pets.
5-A.4: The proposed development "will not have the effect of preventing the orderly subdivision of land
in the area" primarily due to the intention of the Developer of the Parent Tract to provide for bike
and pedestrian circulation within the interior of the future development of the remainder tract:
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