The Anna Planning and Zoning Commission on Oct. 6 approved a preliminary plat for Meadow Vista Phase 4 and granted the developer a waiver from the subdivision regulation that requires cul-de-sacs to be at least 400 feet long.

Planning staff told commissioners the proposed cul-de-sac for the Bloomfield Homes project measures about 182 feet, shorter than the current 400-to-600-foot range in the subdivision regulations. Staff noted the concept plan for the development had been approved under earlier rules that used a different maximum/minimum approach. Staff recommended approval of the waiver.

Mickey Garner of LJA Engineering, representing Bloomfield Homes, told the commission the plat is consistent with the concept plan approved when the zoning and development agreement were adopted. Garner said moving the cul-de-sac to meet the 400-foot minimum would conflict with existing public infrastructure: “there's a 15 inch sewer trunk line, that was built with the Anacapri development that follows the alignment of that cul de sac and then turns left down, Silver Star Road.” He also said a floodplain to the north limits the ability to lengthen the cul-de-sac.

Commissioners questioned whether the cul-de-sac had been designed to the earlier regulations and whether other options existed. One commissioner noted the city’s engineer had concerns about repeatedly approving exceptions, saying the standard was adopted to discourage many short cul-de-sacs in a single development and to limit future maintenance costs borne by taxpayers.

After discussion, a commissioner moved to approve the preliminary plat and the requested waiver; another commissioner seconded. The commission voted unanimously to approve the item.

The action allows the developer to proceed with the Meadow Vista Phase 4 preliminary plat as presented, subject to the granted waiver. The transcript does not record a roll-call naming each commissioner’s vote.