Bent on getting a new road before the snow flies, the City Council in a special meeting has given developer Wayne Patterson an ultimatum. He must either come up with a plan acceptable to city officials or they will condemn and take his land.
The city is lacking 1,300 feet to complete Ridge Road that will connect High Bench Road with Canyon Crest Road on the city's northeast side. The road is needed, say officials, to alleviate the congestion that now comes down 100 South to Alpine Road. But most of the 1,300 feet of the missing link runs through Patterson's property.Patterson attempted to bargain with officials, saying he would dedicate the right of way if his property were rezoned to allow half acre lots. One acre lots are the minimum size now. In July the council agreed to give Patterson his zone change, while expecting a right of way through his land. The council was careful not to say the rezone was in exchange for the land.
That rezone was to go into effect Tuesday, , but the council amended it with only hours to spare. Now the council wants an acceptable plan from Patterson by Sept. 10 that would give the city its right of way, give Patterson a 20-year payback for putting the road in now and allowing Patterson to lay utility lines during construction.
If Patterson agrees, the Planning Commission will consider preliminary approval for the developer's High Bench Ridge subdivision with half-acre lots by Sept. 17. If all goes well, the new zone would take effect Sept. 18. But if the plan runs into more problems, the council would simply condemn the land and build the road to minimum standards, said Councilman Rob Bateman in making the motion.
"This better be an important road for all you're going through," said City Attorney David Church.
Councilwoman Phoebe Black- ham assured him it would resolve a major safety issue. However, she disagreed with the council's method and cast the lone dissenting vote after declaring a conflict because her mother owns property in the area.
In keeping with his usual pattern, Patterson didn't attend the meeting.