Florence City Council OKs annexation for planned development

FLORENCE — Florence City Council during a special meeting Thursday approved annexation of property along Old Mars Bluff Road that will be developed by Roundstone Development.

Called Levy Park Pointe, it will be a rental home community consisting of 60 multi-family rental units. Levy Park Pointe will also contain a community center with full amenities package and an attractive subdivision entrance and perimeter fencing.

A public hearing for the zoning request for R-5 Multi-Family Residential District was held by the Florence Planning Commission at its March 10 meeting. The commission voted 8-0 to recommend approval of the application.

But at the April 13 city council meeting, council members asked the applicant to resubmit his request as a Planned Development District. The application to zone it a Planned Development District was approved during a planning commission public hearing May 12.

But at the April 13 city council meeting, council members asked the applicant to resubmit his request as a Planned Development District. The application to zone it a Planned Development District was approved during a Planning Commission public hearing May 12.

Any development of the property will be subject to the city of Florence codes and regulations. Designation as a Planned Development District limits development to the details provided on the site plan and associated narrative.

The undeveloped site includes about 7½ acres along Old Mars Bluff Road. The 60 multifamily units will consist of one bedroom, one bath; two bedroom, two bath; three bedroom, two bath; and four bedroom, 2½ bath designs.

The garden-style apartments will contain around 750 to 1,350 heated square feet. They will come with patios, accented with brick masonry and HardiPlank siding.

Among the unit amenities are walk-in closets, coat and linen closets, central air and heat, Energy Star appliances, refrigerator with icemaker, dishwasher, dual basin sinks with disposals, vinyl and carpet flooring, ceiling fans in the living room and bedrooms and mini blinds.

Monthly rent ranges from $365 for the 750-square-foot one bedroom, one bath units to $694 for the 1,350 square-foot four bedroom, 2½ bath designs.

The community amenities include a common room with TV viewing area and kitchen, fitness center, business center, picnic and grill area, pool, playground and perimeter fencing.

Philip Lookadoo is the city’s manager of Urban Planning and Development. His staff recommended the request “because it (property) is currently unzoned and undeveloped land, is part of and adjacent to an existing residential land use designation and adjacent to a city park.

“The staff feels this request is in substantial conformance with the existing future land plan use. Staff recommends approval as the request is in substantial conformance with the Comprehensive Plan Land Use map,” they said.

Meanwhile, council never got to first reading of an ordinance to raise revenue and adopt a budget for fiscal year 2009-2010. The matter was postponed until another date can be set.