For the second time, a proposed seven-figure new subdivision of property that would result in six new homes on property in an established neighborhood in Bridgeport received preliminary plat approval.

 

On Dec. 8, the preliminary plat by NOVA Builders Group, LLC, of which Claude J. Ryan serves as the managing member, was okayed with required approval of the Bridgeport Board of Zoning Appeals.

 

At that December meeting, property at 232 West Olive Street was being reviewed to be future sites for six residential units on six lots. The property would see the construction of six 1,335 square-foot homes with estimated prices between $315,000 and $335,000.

 

The reason it needed to go before the Board of Zoning Appeals was four of the six lots originally were for 5,696 square feet and two of the lots were just over 6,000 square feet. New home construction requires lots to be 6,000 square feet unless a variance is granted. The Zoning Appeals board did not grant those variances, as well as an issue with a common driveway length and the number of homes served by said driveway at a meeting held Jan. 13.

 

To meet the requirement of 6,000 feet, NOVA Builders has agreed to purchase a strip of land to add to the property that allowed all six lots to meet that requirement. NOVA also changed from a common driveway (which needs to serve four or less) to a private driveway. Community Development Director and Planning Commission member Andrea Kerr said a private driveway, which is wider, has no restrictions for number of homes.

 

With the changes made, NOVA submitted a new preliminary plat for approval Monday, March 1. Before the vote was taken, there were nearly 45 minutes of discussion.

 

Long-time City Resident Mike Shahan spoke during the public comments about the opposition he said came from residents of the 200 and 300 blocks of West Olive Street. He also presented the Commission with a petition.

 

Shahan emphasized more than once that the opposition was not to the development. He also said that although the architecture proposed does not necessarily fall in line with the existing community that “density is the concern, not architecture.”

 

After lengthy back and forth – and generally cordial – between Commission members, NOVA officials, and a few residents that gathered, the vote was taken to approve the preliminary plat approval. The vote on final approval would come at a meeting set for April 13.

 

Before the vote, several members expressed their thoughts on what may happen at the next meeting. And it was not unanimous.

 

 “They meet all the criteria. Legally, to me, it looks like they meet all the criteria,” said Commission President Rodney Kidd.

 

While Commission Members Doug Gray and Harry M. “Hank” Murray agreed with Kidd, they also cautioned Ryan that their vote could be a negative if the community shows up and shows disapproval. The reason for providing caution was due to the costs incurred putting together a final plat from engineering work to survey work and more.

 

Commissioner Jamie Parker did not state his position during the meeting. Members Melissa Ashburn and Bob Greer were not in attendance.

 

Following the meeting, Ryan was asked if he was moving forward with getting the final plat approval. He said he was not sure at this time.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo is of Andrea Kerr, while Commission President Rodney Kidd is shown in the second photo. In the third photo, NOVA officials Claude Ryan, right, and Larry Porter, address the Commission. Fourth image shows Harry M. "Hank" Murray, while Mike Shahan talks to the Commission during the public comments portion of the meeting.