Planning commission backs Christian Court Townhomes preliminary plat, asks developer to explore safer emergency turnaround

The Titusville Planning and Zoning Commission on Jan. 7 recommended approval of the Christian Court Townhomes preliminary plat, a proposal to develop about 72 townhomes on roughly 7 acres behind the Garden Street commercial corridor. The vote to forward the preliminary plat recommendation to City Council was unanimous.

Ken Fisher, engineer of record for the applicant, said much of the infrastructure was constructed previously but a final plat never was recorded after the 2007‑2008 development pause. "This project is already built... we're just trying to pick up the pieces, get the homeless out and move forward," Fisher said, describing existing roads, sewer and utilities and noting that utilities and internal roadways will be evaluated and brought into compliance with current city standards.

Commission concern centered on a dead‑end road segment and emergency access. Fisher and staff noted the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) guidance that limits dead‑end travel distance, and Fisher said the project’s dead‑end segment is within the 150‑foot threshold used in review. Commissioners pressed whether a hammerhead turnaround, a stabilized geogrid surface or other minor redesign could provide safer emergency access without unduly reducing lot counts.

Commissioner Grama asked staff and the applicant to "go back and see if you can't hard line an answer" about whether a hammerhead or hardened turnaround can be added without compromising landscaping buffers or losing units. The applicant's representative said he would ask the owners but cautioned that adding a full hammerhead could reduce two or more lots; staff and the applicant committed to returning with a refined analysis before Council review.

The commission also heard public comments and technical input from an engineer who raised concerns about expired permits and missing submittal items from the original build. Staff said submitted preliminary‑plat materials meet current submittal requirements and that utility, grading and final engineering items will be addressed in later reviews.

Next steps: staff will forward the commission’s recommendation to City Council; the applicant will work with staff to clarify whether an emergency turnaround can be integrated prior to final platting.