Council approves sale of 0.56-acre park parcel to ease access for planned development; some councilors cite density concerns

City Manager Noel Greiswold presented R56, a resolution authorizing sale of approximately 0.56 acres of underutilized park land in the Lomas and Quintanas master-plan area. Greiswold said staff and the applicant concluded the parcel is undeveloped and that acquiring it would allow a site to meet state access-management (SAM) spacing and parking requirements that otherwise constrain developability.

Angela Perowski, representing Modulus Architects and the potential buyers, explained that after eight months of coordination the developer concluded it could not meet access and fire-marshal turning-radius standards without additional land. Perowski said the developers initially considered a 36-unit apartment project and later described a 30–60 unit, higher-end multifamily proposal with more open space than required. She said the intent of purchasing the parcel is solely to accommodate access, "not intended to be an increase in density."

Councilor Tyler objected, saying the area already has apartments under construction and that increasing density at that corner would worsen access and parking. Staff and other councilors clarified the item before the council was strictly the sale of land; future zoning or land-use approvals would be separate. After discussion the governing body approved R56 by roll call.