Housing for essential workers, several rezoning requests, a proposed annexation and changes to Fairview's development code were among the major topics connected to the September 8 Planning Commission meetings.
Work session: rental homes for essential workers
During a 6 p.m. work session, Upward Communities presented an early concept for property at 2431 and 2451 Fairview Boulevard. The company described a rental housing model intended for essential workers such as teachers, police officers, firefighters and nurses.
Under the concept presented, the homes would not be individually sold. Instead, the community could be leased long-term to a county, school district or similar public entity, which could make units available to qualifying employees. The developer said Fairview could potentially negotiate for some units to be reserved specifically for City of Fairview employees.
Planning commissioners raised concerns about the rental-only model and whether younger workers might prefer opportunities to build equity through homeownership. The developer said the goal would be to provide lower-cost housing that could help employees save toward purchasing a home later.
The project's tax structure also drew questions. The developer said the commercial portion would pay normal property and sales taxes, while the residential portion would need to be property-tax exempt for the model to work. Roads within the development would remain private. No decision was made during the work session.
On the regular meeting agenda
The 7 p.m. regular meeting agenda included several development items. A rezoning request for 7319 Wiley Circle sought split CD-3 and CD-4 zoning to better match Fairview's long-range plan.
Two separate Highway 96 requests were also on the agenda. One involved about 1.72 acres near Horn Tavern Road seeking a change from CD-2 Rural to CD-4 Neighborhood Center. Another involved approximately 16.8 acres proposed to move from CD-2 to CD-3.
The approximately 15-acre property at 2958 Fairview Boulevard also returned, this time for a proposed rezoning to CD-4 Neighborhood Center if its annexation is completed. The applicant has described a possible mixed-use project with offices, retail, restaurants and event-related uses.
An annexation request involving about 4.1 acres at 7370 Taylor Road was also listed. The application states that the eventual goal is multifamily development, although any needed rezoning would require a separate approval.
Code changes and the Tree Bank
The agenda also included a Tree Bank contribution request connected to the TriStar freestanding emergency room and proposed code changes involving mailed development notices and flat roofs in CD-4 zoning.
The conversation
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