By Philip Haldiman

Independent Newsmedia

Peoria City Council approved a proposal for a 30-lot single-family residential development named Bella Pasa at 75th Avenue and Acoma Drive.

Lot sizes within the community range from about 8,000 to 11,800 square-feet, with the average being about 9,000 square-feet.

Building height for the homes will be limited to single-story throughout the community, with the final architectural design to be finalized later in the development process.

There will be a gated entrance to the rustic-themed community located off 75th Avenue. The primary amenity area is located across from the entrance and features tensile shade structures, ramada, play structures for various age ranges, charcoal grills, bike racks and benches.

Additionally, a passive open space area and ramada is located in the southwest portion of the site for use by the residents.

Planning Director Chris Jacques said the original development concept included 37 lots with a density of 3.37 dwelling units per acre, and a range of lot sizes from 5,020 square-feet to 12,209 square-feet. Access into the community was from Acoma Drive.

In terms of public input, including two public meetings, concerns from neighbors focused on lot sizes and traffic.

Subsequent to neighborhood meetings, the development team revised the project to reduce the proposed number of single-family homes from 37 and increased the lot sizes adjacent to the neighboring Thunderbird Vista community. This resulted in a reduction of density to 2.73 dwelling units per acre. Additionally, the entrance was shifted to 75th Avenue, and the homes are now proposed to be limited to one-story. Previously some were two stories.

A traffic report commissioned by the developer stated the community will generate 448 trips per day, based on the proposal of 30 homes.

Officials said apartments or condos would generate more trips, with retail generating even more.

One person — Sharon Hendrickson, a nearby neighbor — spoke in opposition of the development.

She said the traffic study should have been commissioned by the city rather than the developer.

“I don’t know anyone in my general neighborhood that are happy about this. They are not one bit happy about this. They feel like this has been a kind of fast-track and they feel like there has to be further study especially on traffic and general population density in the area,” she said.

Philip Haldiman can be reached at 623-876-3697 or phaldiman@newszap.com.