The Stafford Town Board has approved a 32 unit planned unit development off of Fargo road near Rt. 5 after a 5-0 vote at their February 12, 2018 regular Town Board meeting.
In August of 2017, developer Tony Cole approached the Town Board and asked for a change in zoning, from residential/agricultural to a PUD (Planned Unit Development). At that time, Cole said he was planning to build a 20 unit development.
After meeting with the Stafford Planning Board, Cole and his engineers have since changed the plan so it keeps in line with the rural nature of the town and provides sufficient units to make the venture economically feasible.
16 duplex buildings with 32 units in total will be constructed in phases over a five year period.
The units will be 1420 square feet and each unit will be limited to two adult residents age 55 and over.
(Developer Tony Cole)
The entire development will be owned by Cole and units will be leased to occupants. Cole will provide all maintenance services such as lawn mowing, plowing and garbage services.
At this time there will be no street or other outside lighting other than normal building security lighting on each building. In addition to the main entrance on Fargo road, a secondary emergency entrance will be provided off of Rt. 5. The layout will also provide for recreational areas and walking areas for residents.
The Stafford Planning Board approved the re-zoning saying the type of housing being proposed is needed in the area, but Cole will need to return to the planning board with a more detailed engineering plan for site plan approval. A public hearing will also be held.
Cole says he plans to build in phases due to cost.
“I will probably be laying the road in phases for cost,” says Cole.
“I am trying to do this without going for government grants or anything like that, will build the road, electric and water as phases go in.”
Councilman Donald Mullen questioned the emergency turnaround access for fire equipment if the project is built in phases.
Cole says in the first phase there will be a driveway that leads to Rt. 5.
“You still have to have access for fire equipment, whether you have one house or 16,” says Mullen.
Cole says they can build a temporary gravel turn around until the other phases are complete.
Supervisor Robert Clement says that issue will have to be approved by the planning board along with the Stafford Fire Department.
Councilman Ronald Panek then made a motion to proceed with Councilman Robert Pacer giving the project a second.
Councilman Mullen gave a yes vote to the project, but was concerned about the visibility issue on Fargo road at the entrance to the development.
“What I have done there is, after a lot of thought and deciding, I cleared all the trees and decided to take out the whole hill so you will be able to see,” says Cole.
The entrance will also line up with the neighbors driveway across the street so they do not have headlights going into their house.
“The whole hill will come out of there and it will make it easier to snow plow and a lot cleaner and easier to maintain.”
Wow, not sure if I am for or against this. Doesn’t say what the “leasing” price will be. Will public transportation be available to the residents? I suppose more housing is really needed but the area is a little ways from the city, and lets hope it’s gonna be affordable. Not all 55 and over can afford high rent each month. I’ll keep watching the news for more info.
After plans were resubmitted, no discussion of leasing price in meeting.
terrible idea. The road is country setting . I can’t imagine 32 vehicles or more adding to the traffic on the road. This is a busy road especially with tractor trailer using the road to connect from 63 to rt.5. Where is the need for housing? There is nothing on this side of town. Once these are up, who is to say that the policy of 55 or over would be followed. We moved here to get out of the trailer park that we were living in. We thought this road was a beautiful country road. It’s all about money. Hopefully the powers that be will consider the neighbors in this area that will be greatly affected. Very poor idea!!