Copperstone/FP-CS 9402239. To consider the approval of Copper Stone. Final Plat, to allow the development of
a 129-1ot residential subdivision, located west of the intersection of Parkway
Boulevard and Cowboy Drive, at the request of Dowdey, Anderson and Associates,
Inc.
Assistant Planning Director Pert Virtanen introduced the item to the Commission, stating
that the Preliminary Plat was approved in June of 1992. On June 8, 1993, City Council
approved a one-year extension of that Preliminary Plat. The Final Plat received Council
approval in March, 1994, but was never recorded. Even though the Final Plat became
null and void on September 8, 1994, the Preliminary Plat, by current regulations, is still
valid. The significant difference between the Final Plat that was approved and the
current one consists of changes to street names, reduction in the number of entrances to
the portion south of Parkway Boulevard to one entrance as opposed to the previous two
and the proposal that the streets beyond that entrance be private streets. This subdivision
is part of the original 766 acre tract known as Parks of Coppell. As a part of the
purchase contract for City Hall, Council agreed to apply the subdivision regulations
applicable at that time to the balance of the 766 acres. Consequently,, the subdivision
regulations that apply to this property are those that basically were established around
1978.. Also as part of the contract of sale, there was a provision which stated that the
~" filing of a Final Pla.t for an area within that 766 acre tract shall constitute acceptance by
the City of the streets for maintenance. If the City accepts the streets for maintenance,
then they must be public streets since the City would not be able to utilize public funds
to maintain private streets. The City is obligated to approve the Final Plat under the
terms of the old Subdivision Ordinance, but has no obligation to waive alley requirements
in the SF-9 district or cul-de-sac length requirements as it did when the previous Final
Plat was approved. It also has no obligation to accept the park dedication. The street
name of Amherst closely resembles an existing street name of Elhurst, consequently,
staff recommends that street name be changed. Staff has been on record for years as
opposing private streets, although we understand that the term "private streets" carries
with it a notion of exclusiveness which from a marketing standpoint, seems to have a
certain appeal, but from the standpoint of protection of human life, staff feels it is
important that those streets are accessible quickly and easily without any interruption for
emergency vehicles. If private streets were approved by Council, staff believes that this
would release the City from its obligations under the purchase contract and that the
applicant would be liable for all requirements of the current regulations, such as cash in
lieu of dedication for park facilities; a provision for a Hike and Bike trail and
construction thereof. Staff recommends approval of this Final Plat with the stipulation
that streets be public and compliance with the Engineering requirements.