The Sherman Planning and Zoning Commission recently approved plans for a new 99-lot residential development along Graystone Drive. courtesy photo

The Sherman Planning and Zoning gave its blessing last week for a new 99-lot subdivision this past week despite opposition from neighboring homeowners.

In a unanimous vote, the commission is recommended approval of the new Evergreen Parks Subdivision, located at 2305 and 2615 Graystone Drive. In 2020, separate developers sought to build a manufactured housing development on the same site, but the project was ultimately denied due to neighbor opposition and concerns about the future of the project.

“As far as what happened two years ago, that was a very different scenario in that it was mobile homes and they were not feasible lots where people would own and occupy the lots,” Developer Terrin Bertholf described his development as resident-owned homes. “That was a rental scenario where he was renting out plots of dirt.”

At development, Evergreen Parks would feature 99 lots for patio home development. Plans for the site also call for 34,000 square feet of park space in the form of three pocket parks. In total 18 percent of the land will be retained as open space.

This is not the first time a developer has expressed interest in the site. In 2020, Bertakis Development presented plans to build 85 manufactured home sites on the property. However, these plans were not approved by the city following concerns from neighboring property owners regarding traffic and future value from the site.

Bertholf noted that there were some traffic concerns regarding the project, including narrow roads and a train crossing across the major entry point. He said the development will include a widening of Graystone to allow for two vehicles to pass.

“I am aware of concerns that the neighboring community has in regard to the development’s impact on traffic,” Bertholf said. “Even though the city doesn’t require a traffic impact analysis for a development of this size, I decided to go ahead and hire and pay for a Traffic impact analysis … The TIA analyzed and concluded that there were no roadway improvements required. For a development of this size, the traffic would be very minimal.”

With regard to the train crossing, With regard to the train crossing, Bertholf said he only anticipates that about 100 cars will use the intersection during peak hours, which would reduce potential backup.

Still, this did little to appease some residents who had lingering concerns regarding the potential traffic congestion.

“I do not feel this property is suited for a high density population of cars and people as it is in the condition now,” Resident Thad Thompson said, proposing a secondary entrance on the norths side of the development.

Others continued to compare the development to the previous Bertakis development despite Bertholf’s comments that they were completely different in scope.