The Ripon Planning Commission gave the green light Monday for the construction of The Cottages at Acacia & Pine.
That’s the three two-story townhomes coupled with a detached Accessory Dwelling Unit – also known as a granny flat – project at 230 N. Acacia Ave.
The property with the existing single-family home sits adjacent to Ripon High and the Ripon Unified District Office.
Jeremy West, who is the primary developer, is looking to begin construction sometime during the new year, most likely in spring and, ideally, when students are out on break.
“I’m excited to build in downtown,” he said.
Commissioners called The Cottages a “good looking project.”
They approved the site plan permit for the three triplexes – each would have similar layouts consisting of three bedrooms, two and a half baths, and attached two-car garages – which would have similar layouts but each will vary in size.
The architecture for the buildings would be a craftsman-style design, according to Planning Director Ken Zuidervaart.
He noted that the ADU would be 983 square feet in size featuring two bedrooms, one bath, and, although not required, a single-car garage.
“The existing home would remain on the lot unchanged – in order to fully develop the site, the existing garage, carport, and storage unit on-site will be demolished,” said Zuidervaart.
The project will also bring improvements to Capps Way, which would provide access to the garage units.
Zuidervaart said that Capps Way is not an official alley of the City of Ripon and consists mostly of a dirt surface.
In his report, he pointed out that improvements to Capps Way would include the removal and installation of a new driveway approach from Pine Street along with installation of a new valley gutter down the center of the alley coupled with storm drain line / inlet connecting the valley gutter to the City’s storm line on Pine Street and the city standard brick pavers for surfacing on half of this newly dedicated alley.
Commissioners are estimating construction of The Cottages to take about nine months.
