For the week of July 9 - 15, 2003

Carey P&Z discusses housing director’s development project

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By MATT FURBER
Express Staff Writer

Beginning the pursuit of a private housing venture in the city of Carey, Blaine County housing authority director Dick Duncan Thursday, July 3, presented his ideas for a new housing concept near the Carey High School.

"The idea behind the project is to put homes closer together and provide open space (in the subdivision," said Duncan. It would allow more people to live closer to town and closer to the school.

Duncan’s proposal is still in the planning stages, and he came to Carey the night before Independence Day only to get the commission’s feedback on his idea.

The lots on the clover leaf-shaped subdivision design are about 145 to 150 feet deep by 75 feet wide. With required setbacks, the subdivision would contain 65 homes that could be at least 2,000 square feet. There would be a greenbelt at the one entrance to the subdivision leading to a park in the middle of the property.

Commission chairwoman Vonnie Olsen expressed concern about density and fire plans, whether there could be a second entrance to the property, and she wants to see a traffic impact study.

At this point, however, no plans are in the works, and the commission is making no official recommendations on preliminary plats or design review.

Duncan is only gathering information, but he did say that the plan if approved and built would do more than any public project to provide affordable housing in the county.

He explained that the housing authority doesn’t have the resources to enter into such a development on its own.

It wouldn’t even be able to buy the property, he said

In regular business, a subdivision application filed by Eric Alberdi and Mike Kelsey to develop property adjacent to the Carey Airport was tabled because the applicant is waiting for the results of environmental tests done on the property.

The commission is considering approval of a plan that will allow construction of three aircraft hangers. Each would hold two planes and provide temporary sleeping quarters. Kelsey, the owner of the property and the applicant, is hoping to sell the property to pilots from Utah who are seeking the development of livable hangers so they have a place to stay when they come to town.

Carey ordinances allow for the livable hangers as the property is zoned, but the person staying must be an owner of the hanger and is responsible for enforcing the limited use.

"I don’t want them renting it out," said Commissioner Mary Green.

"I would like to see the CC&Rs (codes conduct and restrictions) on the property)," said commissioner Rick Mecham.

The commission suggested a deed restriction be put on the property so future owners might be held to the same standard of use.

 

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