Commission approves rezoning and overlay for West Mill subdivision, 17 homes planned

The Planning and Zoning Commission on Oct. 6 gave a favorable recommendation for the West Mill proposal, a planned residential development overlay and associated rezonings that would allow 17 detached single‑family homes on roughly 8.05 acres at the terminus of West Avenue.

The department’s information report described a plan of 17 lots: five smaller town‑center lots fronting New College Avenue with rear‑entry garages served by an alley, and 12 suburban residential lots with side‑entry garages. Planning staff recommended approval with conditions, including eliminating one large suburban lot to widen remaining lots from 90 to 95 feet to improve side‑entry garage maneuvering; staff said the seventeenth lot could be restored if the petitioner adjusts home widths or sizes.

The petitioner is identified in meeting materials as Wayland Custom Homes, care of Mike Wayland. Department staff noted the site is an “orphan” from prior office‑center plans and that development would complement nearby subdivisions such as Stonemill and Westbridge Oaks. Staff also identified parking and trash‑service arrangements—alley service for town‑center lots and potential cross‑parking with adjacent commercial lots—as items to finalize before the draft recommendation returns.

Commissioners asked about garage configurations, trash storage and sidewalk placement; staff said the CUP/overlay and final plan will address trash receptacle locations and allow the commission to require sidewalks on one or both sides of the street. After discussion, the commission moved and approved a favorable recommendation; roll‑call voting showed unanimous support from members present.

Next steps: the department will prepare a draft letter of recommendation with refined conditions about porches, sidewalks and the potential restoration of the seventeenth lot for the commission’s next meeting and then forward materials to the City Council as appropriate.