The Cottonwood City Council approved a preliminary plat for phase three of The Vineyards at Cottonwood subdivision at its Sept. 21 meeting. The preliminary plat outlines the design of the third phase of the 100-acre project, which includes 29 single-family residential units located on the south side of Groseta Ranch Road, just over 1,000 feet east of State Route 89A and directly east of phase two.
The council initially approved a rezoning for the six-phase project in November 2016. Phase one of the project, which consists of 41 lots, is already complete, while phase two with 21 lots is currently under construction. Phase three is in the approval process while phase four is already being designed.
“They’re just starting on phase two. They’re trying to get approval for phase three now so there’s no delay,” Community Development Director Scott Ellis said at the meeting.
Phase three is planned to be on 6.28 acres and will consist of 29 units that will be accessible from Sangria Drive, which is part of phase two of the project.
Once the project is complete, it will include a total of 500 residential units of varying kinds. The developer is also constructing Groseta Ranch Road, which will connect with Main Street to help control traffic in the area.
The total number of homes that will be constructed in the first three phases will be 91. As part of the agreement the developer must adhere to, Groseta Ranch Road must be completed either by December 2023 or before the 100th unit can be approved. The developer has agreed to provide the design, cost estimate and right-of-way dedication of the road for the area between its property line to the east and Main Street before the final plat is processed for phase three.
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the preliminary plat on Aug. 16 so long as the developer meets all city zoning requirements in addition to making sure all corner lots are at least 10% wider than the interior lots, and they must provide right-of-way acquisition and obtain city approval of the road design for the extension of Groseta Ranch Road to Main Street.
“My opinion is that the city and city council has been very supportive of this project, and I’d like to personally continue to be supportive of this project,” Councilwoman Tosca Henry said. “I just know there were quite a few promises that were made to the community, including the road and some of the price points and capacity, or actual number of units, that I would like the developer to try to come as close as possible to that.
“But, otherwise, I do want to go ahead and encourage this project wherever possible and appropriate.”
The council voted unanimously to approve the preliminary plat and will review the final plat when it becomes available.
