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Flagship Homes, county discuss town‑center concept; commissioners press for lower density and clearer coordination among developers
Summary
Flagship Homes presented a town‑center concept and development agreement to Morgan County commissioners, who pressed the developer for lower density and better coordination with adjacent property owners.
Flagship Homes representatives presented a conceptual plan and draft development agreement for a town‑center zoning area that the county previously rezoned. Commissioners and staff used a Sept. 16 work session to discuss density, placement of commercial uses and how the project should transition to adjacent single‑family neighborhoods.
Brandon Green of Flagship Homes walked the commission through a 38‑acre concept showing commercial and mixed‑use buildings concentrated at the west end of the parcel, higher‑density residential (townhomes, multifamily) adjacent to the commercial core and progressively lower density toward the parcel’s east edge where 1‑acre rural residential (RR1) zoning already exists.
Several commissioners and community members urged that the project provide more single‑family lots or ‘‘patio homes’’ rather than an overwhelming share of townhomes, and that commercial uses be relocated to reduce traffic impacts and to preserve views from existing homes. Commissioner input emphasized the intent behind a prior memorandum of understanding and referendum discussions that sought a transition from high‑density to low‑density adjacent to the existing neighborhoods.
Flagship said it had discussed donating land to improve fire station access and that it wanted to work with neighboring developers on a coordinated commercial placement. Planning staff said developers may pursue a text amendment if all developers agree to cooperative site and infrastructure planning; staff had postponed a proposed text amendment when developer cooperation faltered earlier in the year.
Why this matters: The county has limited opportunities to plan a consolidated town‑center; commissioners said a coordinated outcome would better serve residents and achieve the goals that prompted the original rezoning.
Next steps: Commissioners instructed staff to convene the three major landowners in the area to discuss coordination and asked staff to prepare draft language and a path for a text amendment only if developers reach agreement on shared commercial placement and phasing.
