Neighbors oppose denser Viking Road subdivision; advisory board denies zone change and tentative map

The Paradise Advisory Board on Aug. 26 denied a developer’s request to change zoning and approve a tentative map for a proposed 31‑lot residential subdivision on roughly 4.44 acres south of Viking Road and east of Euclid Street.

The applicant sought a conforming zone change to RS 3.3 and a tentative map that would result in 31 single‑family lots (the applicant noted that 1 existing home would remain, yielding 30 new homes). Neighbors spoke at length, citing traffic speeds on Viking Road, driveway‑backout safety, the small size of the proposed lots and the effect on neighborhood character.

Roger Ellison (3965 Hellgrove Street), president of a nearby HOA, told the board the proposal “packs this many homes into smaller sized lot[s]” and warned of reduced neighborhood cohesion. Others noted Viking Road’s through‑traffic and observed speeds well above posted limits; one resident said vehicles can reach 45–50 mph on stretches that are posted 25–35 mph. Board members signaled concern about density and the location of homes with driveways that would back onto Viking. The board voted to deny the zone change and the tentative map items; it approved one of the ancillary applications (item 14) but rejected the principal subdivision applications after neighbor testimony and internal discussion.