Zoning Commission Faces Controversy Over Major Land Rezone

Vaughn Creme has appealed a zoning commission's denial regarding the rezoning of 8.63 acres of land located on the north side of US Highway 190 East at Pruden Road in Covington. The request aims to change the zoning from A-1 Suburban to HC-2 Highway Commercial, a move that has sparked significant community interest and concern.

During the meeting, Paul Marone, representing Terryland LLC and owner Roland Vaughn, outlined the revised proposal after initial feedback from the commission and local residents. The original request sought to rezone 36 acres entirely to HC-2, which was met with resistance due to concerns over excessive commercial zoning, potential drainage issues, and the impact on nearby residential areas.

In response to these concerns, the revised plan reduces the request to 21.9 acres of commercial zoning, removing 15 acres from the proposal. The depth of the requested zoning has also been decreased by 100 feet, and the layout has been adjusted to create four distinct parcels of HC-2 rather than a single large block. This change aims to better align with existing commercial developments along Highway 190.

Furthermore, the proposal includes a step-down zoning approach, with the easternmost parcels designated as HC-2, while the third parcel will be zoned HC-1, and the westernmost parcel will be designated as NC-4, a neighborhood commercial zone. This zoning strategy is intended to mitigate concerns about encroachment into residential areas, as a 100-foot buffer will remain zoned for residential use adjacent to existing homes.

Marone emphasized that the adjustments made to the proposal reflect the feedback received from the community and the commission, aiming to balance commercial development with the needs and concerns of local residents. The outcome of this appeal will be closely watched as it could set a precedent for future zoning decisions in the area.