Planning Commission Approves Davidon Homes’ Development Plan

Davidon Homes’ development plan and rezoning request to Single Family Residential District for the Weber Property Residential Development Project were reviewed by the Planning Commission at Tuesday’s meeting.

The project would allow the development of 22 homes and a new road connection between Blemer Road and Matadera Way, and would reserve approximately 3.7 acres that would connect to Oak Hill Park.

The commissioners reviewed the approval to remove 93 trees - including 25 town-protected trees - and the Environmental Impact Report. Davidon Homes will be replanting new trees as part of mitigation, including oak trees at different sites, since trees planted on the development will have a height limit.

Commissioner Lynn Overcashier said that mitigating between existing properties is over and above what is normally required of applicants.

“Historically we have not required oak trees comparable to oak trees for other applications,” Overcashier said. “Like for like. Not require something more of the applicant than we would otherwise.”

Aside from the tree mitigation, the Planning Commission’s main concern was a lack of a sidewalk in front of five homes listed in the plans.

“I am not sure that piece feels right to me today,” said Commissioner Robert Combs. “I want to have some way that we can look at it again…I am not convinced that that piece feels right to me today.”

David Crompton, principal planner for the Town of Danville, said that there will be crosswalks on the “Matadera Way and Webber Lane” and “Blemer Road and Webber Lane” intersections. The idea was to encourage people to use the planned turnaround when dropping their children off at school.

“The intent was to keep the sidewalk on one side,” Crompton said. “Not have people dropping kids off on both sides.”

Jeff Thayer, vice president of land acquisition and development for Davidon Homes, said the objective was for people to use the east side of the street. 

After concerns were raised by the commissioners, Thayer said they could look into making room for a sidewalk and suggested Crompton make an inquiry with the traffic engineer.

The Planning Commission approved all of the recommendations, with two conditions: That a five-foot sidewalk be added in front of the five homes, and that mitigation of the trees that would buffer the San Gregorio properties with the new development be considered part of the mitigation for the 120 trees that will be removed.

“In my 20 years in the Planning Commission, I have never seen as many efforts as part of any development to mitigate every element of a project from site views to everything else,” Overcashier said. “I feel very strongly that they went above and beyond when it comes to mitigation that frankly I have never seen.”