By Hannah Grover
A new multi-family housing development may be coming to Edgewood as developers work to make housing more accessible to a wider range of people.
The property owner — Tanner Sprinkle — plans on building town homes on the parcels. The development could house around 46 people, according to Sprinkle, who provided that number as a rough estimate when questioned during the town commission meeting Tuesday evening.
The commission unanimously approved zone changes for eight lots to allow the development to proceed. The zone change allows for multi-dwelling units connected to water, not exceeding six dwelling units per acre.
Each lot is at least an acre in size and Sprinkle plans on building town homes on each of them. This could include duplexes, quadplexes and triplexes.
Sprinkle said the utilities still need to be installed, but the lots have been cleared in preparation.
He said the development will be served by EPCOR for water and wastewater will be handled through septic systems, which he said is “very adequate.”
Sprinkle said each property will have an individual septic.
Planning and Zoning Manager Paul Dominguez said the zone change falls within the Edgewood Town Commission’s comprehensive plan.
“Anytime you do a zone change…you have to identify that there’s a compelling reason to do so,” he said. “The reason can’t be just financial, or ‘I just want to make more money off my property.’ There has to be some outside public, compelling benefit to the zone change. And the most common compelling identifier is the comprehensive plan.”
Dominguez said the community has indicated that there’s a need for a diversity of housing in Edgewood and specifically identified the property, which is across the street from the middle school.
“This provides starter-type housing for young families,” he said. “Or also housing, again, for elders who want to stay in the community.”
Edgewood Mayor Ken Brennan said the planned development is the “kind of housing we need.”
“The greatest shortfall that the town has is housing like this where families who are starting off, our young families, can afford to actually get into,” he said.
He said the development isn’t necessarily considered affordable housing, which is not always welcomed in communities. Instead, the development is considered “workforce” or “attainable” housing, Dominguez said.
Dominguez said after the hearing was closed that Sprinkle has also acquired property off of Range Road that he is developing another multi-family housing development.
“I just want to commend Mr. Sprinkle for really stepping up and recognizing this need in the community,” he said.
‘A walkable community where we can maybe ride a horse’
Sprinkle’s request for a zone change was one of two that the commission approved on Tuesday.
The second zone change was for two large lots known as Lone Pine Ranch — one 60-acre parcel and the other 62-acres — located near Estancia Valley Classical Academy and Walmart.
David Soule, the owner of the properties, said he and his wife purchased them to develop a housing project that is “both dignified and attainable.”
“It looks like a really worthwhile community project, we need that,” Town Commissioner Mike Rariden said.
Soule asked for one of the parcels to be changed to a zoning that allows for medium-to-high density housing and the other parcel to be changed to a commercial zoning. The zone changes he requested are backed up by the town’s comprehensive plan.
Dominguez said there were some concerns during the previous Planning and Zoning Commission hearing that the roads, in particular Prairie Moon Road, may be inadequate. He said Soule has indicated that Soule will improve the road at his own expense. The town will then maintain the road.
Like Sprinkle’s proposal, Soule said the development he is working on currently calls for septic tanks to handle wastewater, though he has had conversations with city officials about connecting to sewer. If it does not connect to the city sewer, Soule expects about 75 houses will be developed. If his development receives approval to hook into the sewer lines, he said that number could possibly double. In addition to houses, Soule plans on having services available for the residents.
He described his vision as a “walkable community where we can maybe ride a horse.”
“I am hoping that some really cool things can happen, especially on the [commercial zoning] piece,” Soule said.
Soule further envisions that there will be a basketball academy, baseball fields and restaurants.
“I’m trying to create some sort of destination for sports here,” he said.