Residents of Eastland Hills, a master-planned community off of Meadow Lake Road, are fighting to maintain the lot sizes in their community at 6,500 square feet to preserve the safety, aesthetics and property values in the area.

Mike Mechenbier, a local land developer, and Mark Goodwin, his agent, requested a variance in the lot sizes allowed on land, which is owned by Charter Bank due to foreclosure on the land that lost Mechenbier approximately $200,000.

Mechenbier argued the platted lot sizes of 6,500 square feet are too large and would make selling lots and homes impossible because of the declined housing market. He wants to cut the lot sizes down and build smaller homes.

“These lots are essentially going to be divided in half,” said Sherry Faust, a board member from the Eastland Hills Homeowners’ Association.

While the lot sizes aren’t regulated by covenants, Faust said downsizing the lots could violate a contractual agreement and result in a lawsuit by one or more of the parties involved, including the association. An attorney for Mechenbier argued the contractual agreement is unenforceable.

If the variance is approved, the number of homes on the land would nearly double, increasing from 74 homes to 140 homes. During the first phase of construction, 97 homes would be built on an area now platted for 74. In a second phase, 43 would be added.

Residents said they believed the weight of the added homes could burden the hillside land, pointing out that an area nearby has a sinkhole — or what others called an arroyo — due to runoff water. The residents asked that the county require studies of the land before approving the increased home density, which the residents claim will increase runoff, flooding and erosion.

“There is a history that demands a hydrology study and geology study before any new development takes place,” Faust said.

Goodwin said studies will be included with the second phase of the development.

“We still stand behind the fact that our phase one will not have an adverse impact on the existing infrastructure,” he said.

The studies should occur before the county approves the downsizing of the lots and increased home density, Faust said.

Residents also said the increased number of homes would mean an increase in traffic on roads without sidewalks, where children walk in the street.

“There are going to be more kids, and where are these kids going to walk? On our little narrow streets,” said Irene Brown, who lives in Eastland Hills.

Residents are concerned about the types of people who would be attracted to less expensive homes, predicting the new homes will lower the value of the existing property, partly because the new homes will be starters that residents say won’t be cared for.

“I ask Mr. Mechenbier, please wait. Wait to fill your pocket with money. Build us some good homes, where people are going to stay,” Brown said.

Mechenbier, who noted the development “isn’t just about financial gain,” said D.R. Horton, a residential developer and construction company, will build high-quality homes.

“I have done several developments here in the valley, and I don’t think anyone can point a finger at any of them and say, ‘That’s a sub-prime development,’ or even give me a ‘B’ on anything,” Mechenbier said.

For the most part, Mechenbier and Goodwin didn’t respond to residents’ complaints and claims, instead letting commissioners refer to their comments from a previous meeting before the Valencia County Planning and Zoning Commission.

The planning and zoning commission denied the variance request 3-1, which is why it was appealed by Mechenbier to the county commission.

The variance request will be presented for a vote at next week’s county commission meeting.

This page was published on February 11, 2010 at 11:33pm and is filed under Economy.