Residents urge caution as Troy holds public hearing on 57.68-acre rezoning at Wilson and Center

A public hearing at the Aug. 18 Troy City Council meeting drew several residents who urged the council to reconsider rezoning 57.679 acres at the southeast corner of Wilson Road and Center Road from county A-2 general agriculture to the city's R-4 single-family residence district.

Carol Kerber of 326 South Plum Street said agricultural land is a nonrenewable resource and urged more public collaboration and consideration of alternatives such as brownfield redevelopment or land trusts. "This means it cannot be readily replaced by natural means at a pace quick enough to keep up with consumption," Kerber said, adding questions about coordination with the county's comprehensive plan.

Lorraine Wyatt and Bradley Beringer told council they worry rezoning and new housing will increase traffic on SR 55 and strain Troy schools. Beringer said the city is "so quick to allow these developers to come in and buy prime farmland" and argued for balancing farmland conservation with housing needs.

Will Harrelson, attorney for the applicant and representing the property owner, said the city's comprehensive-plan process designated this parcel for single-family detached residential use and that consultants who prepared the plan considered traffic, population and other factors. Harrelson told council the comprehensive-plan analysis showed a housing shortfall and noted the plan "encouraged the continued residential development and promoting a variety of housing options."

Council confirmed that Ordinance O23-2025 is at second reading and that the item will be discussed in the Law and Ordinance Committee next Monday at 6 p.m. for further detail; no final council action was taken Monday.