Commission OKs Douglas condominiums with conditions
The Northpoint Condominiums could be part of the Lawson Creek neighborhood by the end of next summer. The Juneau Planning Commission conditionally approved an allowable-use permit for the 12-condominium project Tuesday night.
The conditions require addressing drainage concerns by clearing brush, regrading and sloping the site, and digging drainage ditches deeper. Snow storage sites must be identified, and dumping snow in Lawson Creek is prohibited. A stop sign must be placed at the exit from the parking lot.
The conditions shouldn't be a problem, said Terry Johnson, representing P&J Industries and speaking for property owner David Johnson, after the Planning Commission meeting.
"As far as clearing brush is concerned, we were going to do that anyway," he said.
He said, though, that he was a little concerned when the commissioners discussed resurfacing privately owned Old Lawson Road as a responsibility of the developer. That aspect wasn't on the table by the time commissioners voted, although the road inspired most of the discussion.
Community Development Director Dale Pernula said an allowable-use permit doesn't let the commission place a condition on road improvements.
Commissioner Mark Pusich pointed out that the issue started two weeks ago on the consent agenda - matters considered routine in nature that can be grouped together for approval in a single vote. The commission ended up spending most of its Dec. 10 meeting and all of Tuesday's meeting dealing with traffic concerns in the Douglas Island neighborhood.
Six of nine commissioners attended Tuesday's meeting.
Although neighbors expressed concerns about the road and drainage, the project itself never came under attack. Several residents who spoke Tuesday and Dec. 10 said they liked the project, although they feared its impact on a narrow, steep, twisting and sometimes icy road.
Pernula told commissioners the city would not be able to accept the private road for maintenance unless it meets city standards.
One way to accomplish that, discussed Tuesday night, would put the burden on the property owners by forming a limited improvement district with a bill of more than $300,000 to be divided among property owners.