Planning commission revisits Vista Drive development plans

On Tuesday, July 16 the Claremont Planning Commission will review a proposed condominium complex set to fill a vacant lot at Vista Drive and Indian Hill Boulevard. The open meeting takes place at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, 225 W. Second St.

Photo Courtesy//Steven Felschundneff

Private developer Olson Urban Housing, LLC, is taking the lead in developing the project, which is composed of 21 detached condominium homes spanning the 1.75 acre lot. All condos will be sold at market rate except for 3, to be offered as moderate-income housing, according to the report.

An initial planning commission overview, held a year ago, was met with protest by residents of the neighborhood adjacent to the vacant lot, many unhappy with the complex’s layout and design among other features.

Olson officials worked to dispel those concerns by holding a community meeting and modifying their plans to include their neighbors’ suggestions. Taking into consideration worries that proposed zoning changes would allow overdevelopment of the small lot, the number of units within the complex were reduced from the originally proposed 26 homes to 21, within the lot’s current zoning. Addressing further concern over residents’ safety and overall design, units will now have attached garages, those along Vista Drive will face north with front doors facing the street and a wall will be set back along Indian Hill Drive with an entrance.

The planning commission will review the project before the Claremont City Council gives final approval. The architectural commission will also be consulted. More on the development and the preliminary review in a future edition of the COURIER.