BY FREDA MIKLIN
GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER
At the end of a four-hour meeting on October 20, all the members of the Greenwood Village City Council said yes to a development of 90 single-family vertical homes, ranging from 2,500 to 4,500 square feet, 45 to 55 feet tall, on the 13-acre lot in Orchard Station just south of the Landmark Towers.
The presentation by Century Communities, who has owned the property since 2016, emphasized the high quality of the planned homes in this gated community, and the belief that there is a strong market for them, at base prices starting around $2 million.
After Century’s presentation, eleven local citizens testified, ten of whom live in the Landmark Towers. All spoke compellingly, encouraging council to vote yes for the project, saying, “Detached homes are much preferred over any other type of development, all of which would generate more traffic than these homes; it is of excellent quality and architecture, compatible with the surrounding area, will enhance the values of surrounding properties, will beautify the area, is a superior product, and is the right density level (despite not meeting the language of the GV comprehensive plan changed in 2018 to say that residential development in the area is discouraged, and if built, should be no more than four per acre—this project is seven per acre).
Three of the people who testified said they planned to buy one of the units, making Century’s stated expectation of selling out the development within a year sound very reasonable.
In explaining his vote, Council Member Paul Wiesner said, “I understand and appreciate the comprehensive plan, but this piece of dirt has been there for 20+ years…Traffic will be there whether it’s residential or office or shops…The density—we “broke” the comp plan on approval of the Marilyn Hickey property (townhomes of ten per acre), so I don’t have an issue with allowing what I think is very high-quality development that removes a blight that has been there for 20 years in the middle of our town center.”
Council Member Donna Johnston said, “I support this project, I think it’s really nice and really on trend, and it supports the Landmark commercial.”
Council Member Tom Stahl tied his support to the quality of the development and the support of the residents of the Landmark Towers.
Council Member Anne Ingebretsen said, “I was on the council that approved the Landmark Towers and that was way above our comprehensive plan. We approved the Marilyn Hickey development and that was above our threshold. This is right up against the light rail. I will vote to approve this, as well. I think it is an appropriate development. This is good, high quality, appropriate density.”
After the unanimous vote, Mayor Lantz, who does not vote unless there is a tie, added, “I appreciate all that you (Century Communities) have done…Thank you for all the hard work you’ve put into this.”