Commission approves future land-use amendment and rezoning to PUD for 624-unit Root Road development

The Planning Commission voted to amend the future land-use map and to recommend rezoning a 304.5-acre property on Root Road (near E Road 390) to a planned-unit development (PUD) for a proposed single-family residential development with 624 units, staff said. The motion to approve both the future land-use amendment and the rezoning received a positive recommendation to city council and carried by voice vote.

Staff description and recommendation: Planning staff said the proposal spans both existing R-3 and C-2 zoned areas and would create a mix of single-family detached lot sizes, including 90-foot, 60-foot and smaller 40–50-foot lots, distributed across the property. Staff reported the development’s net density is slightly more than 2 units per acre, which is lower than the R-3 zone’s typical 3–10 units per acre; staff recommended approval of the future land-use amendment and rezoning to PUD with conditions.

Conditions: Staff said the approval should be conditioned on sidewalks on both sides of streets, underground utilities, provision of at least one street tree per lot (with variations for smaller lots), a generalized landscaping plan and coordination to provide a greenway or creek easement along the southern property line. Engineering noted infrastructure design and access requirements will be addressed at the subsequent preliminary-plat stage. Staff also noted an available 30-inch water main along the north side of the road for service connections.

Public comments and concerns: Nearby property owner Alfred Mitchell asked about the wooded strip and the power-line easement between his property and the proposed development; staff and the applicant representative clarified that the wooded area and power easement largely remain an undisturbed buffer and that the intent is to leave that area undisturbed. Resident Philip Warren raised concerns about road capacity and long-term wear from new traffic; staff said the developer is responsible for constructing and maintaining access roads to meet city standards and that the city will monitor road conditions and require improvements or resurfacing as needed when usage and wear require action.

Why this matters: The rezoning and land-use amendment together pave the way for a large, single-family subdivision that will extend the city’s residential fabric and require future infrastructure, road and utility construction. The city council will receive the commission’s recommendation; final zoning action rests with council.

Action and next steps: The commission voted to amend the future land-use map and to recommend rezoning to PUD; both items will go to city council for final action. If council approves, the developer must return with preliminary plats and construction plans for engineering and utility review prior to any construction or lot recording.

Ending: The commission’s approval advances the project to city council consideration; staff emphasized that final infrastructure design, access requirements and trail/greenway easements will be determined in subsequent review stages.