To the Editor,
I am writing to express why current residents have serious concerns about the Riverview Villages addition currently being proposed for our community — changes that differ dramatically from what residents were told when we purchased our homes. Many of us would not have purchased if we had seen this recent proposal first.
When the plans were presented in 2021, the vision was reasonable. We were informed that the subdivision would mirror ours and might eventually include a few small shops and possibly an over‑55 community. We were also told that 68 additional lots would be added to the north end of our neighborhood. Because this information was disclosed upfront, no one objected.
However, the density changes adopted in 2025 represent a complete departure from those original plans. The developer is now seeking to introduce a high‑density neighborhood that would reduce the minimum lot size from 7,200 square feet to just 3,000 square feet for single‑family homes. This is not a minor adjustment—it fundamentally alters the character and scale of our community.
In addition, the developer is requesting numerous variances, including reducing road widths from 26 feet to 24 feet. This may seem small on paper, but it is not small in practice. Most residents in our area drive large utility vehicles or pickup trucks. We are not a community that can walk to work or a store, as there is no public transportation. Narrower roads combined with significantly higher density create obvious safety and congestion issues.
The proposed development would add an estimated 650 additional vehicles attempting to merge on and off an already busy highway. Our infrastructure was never designed to absorb this level of traffic, and these changes would place unnecessary strain on both residents and emergency services.
We are not opposed to growth. We simply want development that is practical, consistent, and aligned with what we were told when we made the decision to invest in our homes. Responsible planning should enhance a community — not overwhelm it.
Note: The 1st attachment 2021 plan. The 2nd attachment 2025 plan (not to scale) Thank you, Robert Bostanche Newcastle
