In a recent public hearing, the Newcastle Planning Department discussed a significant rezoning application submitted by Shaw Investment Group LLC. The proposal seeks to rezone a 13.5-acre tract of land from a general agricultural district to an E-3 residential estates district, alongside an amendment to the land use map from general commercial to suburban residential.

The property, located half a mile east of South May Avenue and north on Southeast 44th Street, is currently vacant and surrounded by a mix of agricultural land and existing single-family dwellings. The rezoning request is part of a broader trend in the area, which has seen a rise in single-family estate residential developments, including the nearby Blue Ridge subdivision.

City officials noted that the current land use designation for the parcel is inconsistent with the proposed residential development, necessitating a land use amendment. The preliminary plat for the Blue Ridge South development, which includes plans for 13 single-family estate lots, is under review, with engineering comments being addressed by the applicant.

Access to the site is facilitated by Southeast 44th Street and Blue Ridge Street, with a 6-inch water line running parallel to Southeast 44th Street. However, city sewer services are not available, requiring future residences to utilize approved sewage disposal systems. The proposed lots meet the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality's requirements for lot size.

City staff expressed support for the rezoning and land use amendment, citing no foreseeable negative impacts on the surrounding area. The application is seen as a continuation of the existing residential development trend, aligning with the community's growth objectives. The hearing concluded with the applicant, Kendall Dillon, present to address any questions from the planning board.