Written By: Justin Shaw, Arts and Entertainment Editor
Photos By: Isaac Jessup
The Grand Junction Planning Commission voted five to zero to approve the request to annex a vacant plot of land on Allyce Avenue’s northern end.
Tracy States with River City Consultants represented Five Star Homes and Development Inc., which submitted the proposal. The proposal requested to re-zone 0.11 acres within the Five Star Annexation to RM-8 (Residential Medium 8), located east of Allyce Avenue’s northern end.
A presentation of the proposal was provided by Tim Lehrbach, senior planner with the community development department.
Lehrbach explained that although the property had not been conveyed to the county or city, it had been incorrectly designated as a public right of way as part of the 2020 Fairview Glen Annexation.
“The property remained under private ownership, and such owner was not named to that previous annexation,” Lehrbach said. “Therefore, there was no petitioner for the subject parcel to be annexed, and the annexation of that portion of land was not properly completed.”
The plot of land was the only one in its area not to have been annexed to the city back in 2020, leaving it vacant. This new annexation allows Five Star Homes to use the land for residential development within the area.
“The surrounding area is developing with urban densities and intensities,” Lahrbach said, “and the property has all urban surfaces available to serve it.”
Planning Board First Alternate Orin Zyvan raised the idea of future use of the property, specifically the current state of the parcel. He was more worried about the area’s awkward interconnectivity.
“As I currently understand, there is a drain easement on this property,” Zyvan said. “Will that be changing, or will it remain?”
Lehrbach explained that the exact location of the drainage easement on the property should have little effect because it runs through the property. The biggest issue with the land is its designation as a right of way.
“The configuration of that, what is now shown as a right of way but is in fact a parcel, is proposed to change with the new subdivision,” Lehrbach said. “The subdivision’s plan is still under review and is required to meet all of the development regulations in place at the time of application.”
Without additional discussion, the planning board voted five to zero to recommend approval for annexation to the City Council. The meeting will take place on May 1, 2024.
blockpartygj.net 