Setback Battle Looming Over Veronica Meadows

Although developer Mark Lee has downsized his proposed Veronica
Meadows development from 23 to 15 houses in compliance with City
Council wishes, two city commissions are pushing the embattled
would-be builder to provide even greater setbacks from Arroyo Burro
Creek than the council originally demanded. Members of the City
Parks and Recreation Committee and the Creeks Advisory Committee
voted to increase the creek setback from 50 feet to 100 feet. Lee’s
proposal involves a 50-foot setback from the creek with no
development at all, and another 50 feet with only minor
development – playgrounds and barbecue pits. Developers worry that
if Monday night’s vote holds, it would permanently expand the creek
setback requirement as city policy and limit the amount of
buildable space adjacent to watersheds. The next step for Lee is
the Planning Commission, which could hear this politically
contentious issue as soon as July 27.