City, Twin Lakes work cooperatively on expansion
Eliminates proposed driveway at Forestglen
The City of Montgomery has announced plans to work with Twin Lakes, a senior living community, as it proposes a modest expansion of its planned development in an effort to consolidate access points for multiple properties along Montgomery Road. The proposed new 23 unit development would have one access point between Forestglen Drive and Schoolhouse Lane, eliminating the need for the proposed driveway at the Forestglen intersection.
Twin Lakes plans to propose a project comprised of 23 senior housing units on approximately 5.7 acres of property south of the Montgomery Safety Center on Montgomery Road. In 2007, Twin Lakes received approval from the City for 13 senior housing units on approximately 2.9 acres of this property. The new plan calls for 10 additional residential units on an additional 2.8 acre site, bringing the total proposed number of garden homes to 23.
Should the expanded plan by Twin Lakes be approved by the Planning Commission, the City intends to construct a consolidated access point on Montgomery Road, approximately 550 feet north of the Schoolhouse Lane/Montgomery Road intersection. This single new access point would replace the driveway location that was formerly approved for the original garden home development at the intersection of Forestglen Drive and Montgomery Road.
The cost to design and construct the public improvements to Montgomery Road, including the installation of an additional landscaped median and dedicated turning lanes would be approximately $475,000. The property owner would donate all property necessary for construction of the access point on its site.
This new project would allow the City to consolidate the access points for a minimum of five properties along Montgomery Road, four of which are owned/controlled by Twin Lakes. This consolidated access point would minimize the potential for additional driveways along Montgomery Road.
The results of the consolidated access management plan will be more aesthetically pleasing than individual access points, and will provide an opportunity for the City to construct an additional median south of the consolidated access point. This will benefit the entire Montgomery community as well as visitors using Montgomery Road.
This proposed Twin Lakes project, while still needing to receive approval from the Montgomery Planning Commission, is consistent with the existing multi-family zoning on this property. It would also ensure residential development of this critical piece of property along Montgomery Road.
Twin Lakes would not be requesting a property tax exemption and like any other residential development, the project will generate local tax dollars to support community services.
The proposed Twin Lakes development plan will be reviewed by the Montgomery Planning Commission beginning on Monday, May 19 at 7:30 p.m. The Planning Commission meets on the first and third Mondays of each month and its meetings are open to the public.
The City has also placed a comprehensive question and answer guide regarding this proposed project on the city web site.