In a recent public hearing, the planning board discussed a request from Joshua Moody to rezone a two-acre portion of the Lowell Morgan estate from Agricultural Residential 1 (AR 1) to Agricultural Residential 2 (AR 2). The request is necessary because AR 1 zoning requires parcels to be a minimum of five acres, and the two acres in question do not meet this threshold. Moody, who has lived on the property for 15 years, stated that he is seeking to formalize his inheritance as per his grandfather's wishes.

The staff report indicated that the rezoning aligns with the future land use map, which designates the area for agricultural residential use. However, the approval is contingent upon the condition that a plat must be approved and recorded before the rezoning takes effect.

Opposition to the rezoning was voiced by several local residents, including Hampton Spradley, who expressed concerns that allowing AR 2 zoning could set a precedent for further subdivisions in the area, potentially altering the character of the neighborhood. Spradley highlighted a previous denial of a similar request last year, arguing that the community has worked hard to maintain the AR 1 zoning, which supports larger, more rural properties.

Other residents echoed these sentiments, emphasizing their desire to keep the area free from smaller tracts of land that could lead to increased development and a shift in community dynamics. They argued that the approval of this request could open the floodgates for additional rezoning applications, undermining the established character of Haddon Lake Road.

In response, Moody clarified that he is not seeking to create additional lots or change the existing use of the property, but rather to fulfill the terms of the estate. The planning board acknowledged the concerns raised by the community but noted that the request is based on existing land use regulations.

The board will make a recommendation to the county commissioners, who will have the final say on the rezoning request. The outcome remains uncertain as the board weighs the implications of the decision against the backdrop of community sentiment and zoning regulations.