The Willow Glen Resident

Council Watch

Radio Ave. developer forced to ask for input from neighbors

Bob Schwenke expects to build eight single-family homes instead of original six

By Cecily Barnes

City planners have told developer Bob Schwenke to hold a community meeting with Radio Avenue neighbors regarding a project to construct eight single-family homes. Schwenke had hoped to push his project through the Planning Commission and City Council before the holidays but was forced to slow down and solicit community input.

"This is a meeting [that planning] has asked the developer to do so the neighbors can have some input," said Kris Cunningham, president of the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association. "People will see the plans and be able to make comments before planning has gone any further."

Schwenke had tried to develop this same property in 1994 but met fierce opposition from nearby residents and the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association. Although the previously opposed project called for only six single-family homes, Schwenke is back asking for eight.

"It's actually less density. With the six [homes] the density ended up about 14 units to the acre, and now we're down at 12," Schwenke said. "We've added another portion to the site to make this thing a real nice, livable project vs. just going with a single parcel where the units would have been much more cramped."

Despite Schwenke's assurance that the new project is less dense than the previous one, neighbors fear the development will cram too many people into too small a space. Schwenke will address density and parking issues at the meeting, as well as answer any questions.

"With those eight houses, it provides for 40 cars and 26 bedrooms," Schwenke said. "The houses will be [between 1,600 to 1,800] square feet, and that's appropriate to the area."

After the public meeting, the Radio Avenue development will go before the Planning Commission and City Council for final approval.

The meeting will be held after Jan 1. The date has not yet been set.

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