Housing concept hits a wall

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More than 50 of the current residents of the Rosewood Creek subdivision located near Peters Road at the city’s western edge attended the June city Planning Board meeting to oppose the plan.

Bruns told the board he had spent tens of thousands of dollars researching and developing the housing concept followed by finding proper materials and subcontractors who could work with them.

The proposal requested replacement of the subdivision phase four plan for 37 single-family homes with a new concept featuring a gated community with 55 Tudor style two- and three-bedroom homes, all accessed via privately maintained driveways. Bruns said the homes — a model has been under construction in the subdivision — would cost between $250,000 and $450,000.

The Hamlet at Rosewood would include stone walls separating homes, period street lighting and garden areas. Under the proposal the area would be governed by a condominium association separate from the rest of the subdivision. The proposed association agreement was not yet filed with the city.

Bruns said he was reluctant but would find another location for the proposed project, if it wasn’t wanted. “We have a big investment in this. If am not going to get buy-in … I will just take it someplace else,” he said.

A current Rosewood Creek homeowner said neighbors in the subdivision were invited to her home to discuss the proposal the Sunday before the board meeting. More than 60 people attended, expressing concerns about the proposed change in the subdivision section plan and the potential impact on property values, said Maria Abboud.

Another resident said she liked the housing concept but it was not for Rosewood Creek’s setting.

The board heard comments from about a dozen property owners before board Chairwoman Stacy Wall asked Bruns if he would be willing to discuss possible options to the proposal with the city staff and subdivision homeowners’ representatives.

The board agreed to table consideration of the proposal indefinitely after Bruns agreed and waived the time limits set in city codes for considering the request.