City Council approves plan amendment to rezone 24.5‑acre site on Fort McKay Road

The Sutherland City Council on June 9 approved Ordinance 11‑03, amending the city comprehensive plan map and zoning map to change about 24.5 acres at 478 Fort McKay Road from low‑density residential to community commercial (C‑3) for about 3.04 acres and multifamily residential (R‑3) for about 21.46 acres. Jamie Fugates, city planner, told the council the planning commission conducted an evidentiary hearing on May 20 and “followed by unanimous vote … recommended approval” of the plan amendment and zone change.

The property includes tax lots 3600 and 3700 and is described in staff materials as approximately 24.5 acres under Section 24 AD of T25S R06W. Fugates said the zone change is a permanent map amendment; the applicant has submitted a preliminary development plan that contemplates a mix of single‑family and apartment units and a small commercial plaza but that the zoning action does not itself approve specific development proposals.

Council members asked whether residential or commercial uses would come first and whether the housing would be market or income‑restricted; Fugates said those details are part of later development review and “we have to delve into that development part.” The council voted unanimously in favor: Councilor Woods, Councilor Daigle, Councilor Sarnoski, Councilor Smalley, Councilor Hamilton, Councilor Whitaker and the Mayor (name not specified) each announced “Aye.”

Because this action was a legislative map amendment, future development proposals on the site will return to the city for design review, permitting and any approvals required by the development code and public works standards.

The council approved the ordinance at first reading and carried the motion; no amendments to the ordinance were recorded during the hearing. Staff and the applicant will proceed with the subsequent permitting process and any required public notifications.