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The
subdivision is being built on a former cattle
farm along Highway 111 (South Alexander Road). The approximate 200-acre farm is divided by the highway with the largest portion on the west side. The L-shaped section fronts Highway 111 on the north end and Brookwood Road on the south. |
After a presentation given by the developer and engineer of the
proposed Meadows Edge Subdivision, the Alexander City Council gave its approval
to continue the design of Phase-1 of the project. Developer Rick Ferguson and engineer
Joe White are on a tight time schedule. They want to have some homes available
for purchase in time for the 2016 opening of the new FedEx distribution center.
They're expecting employees will want to live near the facility being built at
Alexander and Vimy Ridge roads.
Project Engineer Joe White described the subdivision to those attending
the February 23 council meeting. He said the lots will be approximately 60 feet
wide and 120 to 130 feet deep. Each phase will have 50 to 60 lots with Phase-1
starting at 60. The ultimate goal is to have up to 300 homes. He estimated the
entire subdivision could take four to five years to complete.
There will be more than homes, streets and sidewalks in Meadows Edge.
White said, "There's a lot of green space that we're leaving alone, a lot
of creeks. We're doing it for several reasons, one we want a neighborhood
that's ... green, we want to leave the creeks natural and make it pretty, and
that's what our goal is."
Later the developer Rick Ferguson added, "What we like to do is go
in and cut in little trails, try to keep kids off the streets and into the
woods."
White's second reason for leaving the green areas essentially
undisturbed is of a more practical nature. He said the plan has been reviewed
by a firm familiar with the Army Corps of Engineers waterway requirements. He
said, "With this layout we will not need a Corps permit."
The single-family homes are expected to fall into the $150,000 to
$175,000 price range. Most of them will be one-level with three or four bedrooms.
Mayor Paul Mitchell asked what happens if it's discovered a change to
the plat that's been approved is needed? Ferguson said all changes must be
approved by the council.
The next step is to present a completed, detailed plat of Phase-1 to
the planning commission for approval as quickly as possible. White said, "By
the time you put the streets and utilities in Phase-1, you're six months down
the road."
The reason the council has been performing the duties of a planning
commission is because the council is still in the process of establishing a new
commission and selecting its members. All eight aldermen voted to adopt the
Phase-1 preliminary plan.
Mayor Paul Mitchell is expecting to have a workshop meeting next week
so the aldermen can interview those who have submitted resumes for the planning
commission and the vacant treasurer's position. A second meeting will then be
held to appoint commission members and a treasurer.
Adopting the Phase-1 preliminary plan was contingent on the adoption of
the Saline County Subdivision Rules and Regulations. All eight aldermen also
voted to adopt the regulations to be used by the city. The city will use the
regulations as the standards future subdivisions must meet before they can be
built within the Alexander city limits.
The developers of Meadows Edge voluntarily decided to use the county's
regulations when a city version wasn't available. The subdivision regulations
include requirements such as the plat submission process; suitability of the
land for development; and construction standards for streets, sidewalks, curbs,
gutters, water, and sewer lines.
In other business;
Credit cards coming to city hall?
Council members also heard from Randy Atkisson with Hartland Payment Systems.
Hartland is the fifth largest credit card processing company in the country.
Currently, any financial transactions processed at city hall must be
cash only. Atkisson said fines and fees will be able to be paid by credit card
either at city hall or on-line. He estimated the cost for processing each
payment at 2.5% to 3.5% of the amount charged to the credit card, depending on
volume. Atkisson added that the city could charge a convenience fee to pay for
using a credit card.
Mayor Mitchell said he's thought about selling burn permits on-line.
"We've got to try to bring us up into the 21st-Century," he said.
Council members requested information about the company's services in a
written form so the proposal can be considered at a later meeting.
Interviewing for new fire chief
During the reports section of the meeting Mitchell said he's
interviewing individuals to replace the fire chief. Currently the fire chief
and firefighters also serve with the Chrystal Hill Fire Department.
Mitchell was informed by one of the aldermen the fire command vehicle
is being used by the Alexander fire chief to drive to and from Chrystal Hill.
"I will put a stop to that," he said.
The next regular meeting of the Alexander City Council will be held Monday, March 16, 6 pm in city hall. Regular meetings are held the third Monday of the month. The public is invited to attend.