Consider and take action on a Request for Extension of Time for the Preliminary Zoning Approval of the Marlow Lake North PUD Application previously approved by the City Commission on March 16, 2022.

 

Marlow Lake North Subdivision is a 158-unit single family residential planned unit development on 68.355 acres of undeveloped land located on the west side of SH 3 immediately north and adjacent to the Marlow Lake Subdivision. The developer is SSLT, LLC, an affiliate of Sprint Sand.  Sprint Sand owns and operates the active sand mine adjacent to the subdivision. The development is part of the approved post pit plan for the sand mine. 

The City Commission previously gave Preliminary Zoning Approval to the Marlow Lake North PUD rezoning to District I at its regular meeting on March 16, 2022 following a Public Hearing.  Within twelve months, the developer applied for Section 5 Preliminary Plat approval. The Planning Board approved the preliminary plat at its meeting on April 17, 2023. The Developer then applied for Section 5 Final Plat approval on April 21, 2023.  The Developer received three sets of comments on the final plat submittal but has not yet responded to the last set of comments provided in September 2023. Preliminary Plats are valid for a period of 12 months unless extended. The approval of the Preliminary Plat extends the preliminary zoning approval for either 12 months or until a final plat is approved. Because the final plat has not yet been approved, the preliminary zoning approval will expire with the preliminary plat approval of Section 5 on April 17, 2024. 

The Developer is requesting an extension of the Preliminary Zoning Approval to allow more time to complete the platting and development of the subdivision. The Developer requests an extension of the preliminary zoning approval until March 16, 2025. The Planning Board recommended approval of the extension at its regular meeting on February 19, 2024. The City Commission has the authority to grant an extension of time to the preliminary zoning approval.

The Planning Board recommended approval of the extension at its regular meeting on February 19, 2024.

Staff recommend approval of the request for extension of time to the preliminary zoning approval. The Marlow Lake Subdivision is separate from but adjacent to the Marlow Lake North Subdivision. Sections 1 through 4 are located in the Marlow Lake Subdivision. Section 5 is the first section being platted in Marlow Lake North Subdivision. The build out of Sections 1 through 3 is substantially complete with many new, high-quality homes being constructed and occupied by the owners. The pocket park construction for Sections 1 through 3 is in place and operational. The infrastructure of Section 4 is complete, and the plat recorded on July 14, 2023. The construction of the walking trail and landscape amenities has been slow. The Developer has installed the decorative fencing, some sidewalks and provided plans for landscaping and hardscaping along the walking trails at the finished top of bank of the eventual future lake.  There have been no significant changes to conditions surrounding the Marlow Lake North development.  It would be recommended for approval if first presented at this time instead of two years ago in 2022. With improvements in the economy and normalization of the changing interest rates, there is no reason not to anticipate continued good absorption of the housing products produced through the subdivision.