The Clarksburg City Council on first reading approved rezoning two parcels adjacent to Stoneybrook Road from R-1 residential to B-2 light commercial, a change the applicant says would allow uses similar to other businesses along Stoney Brook Road and permit storage and small business activity.

The rezoning drew public comment and council discussion mainly about traffic, stormwater infrastructure and the proposed near-term use of the site as a pipe yard and staging area for a water-board construction contract.

Deborah Varner, an attorney representing B and S Land LLC, told the council the properties were advanced by the planning and zoning commission and that the rezoning would “not adversely affect the public health, safety, or welfare of the community,” and would “permit reasonable use of the land similar to the other businesses that are right along that road.”

Christopher Scott, who identified himself as a resident at 85 Pinewood Road, opposed the rezoning. “My concern, primarily, is that we have kids that, you know, walk up and down… and my concern is this would increase not just cars, but heavy trucks,” Scott said, adding he worried about heavy equipment and the effect on the neighborhood’s character.

City planning staff said the property owner’s prospective buyer—who owns a construction business—has proposed to repair a collapsed culvert on the site and to use the parcels as a staging and storage area for pipe and materials needed for a multi-year water-board contract. Planning staff also said any required MS4/DEP or NPDES permits for stormwater work would be the responsibility of the future property owner, not the city. “That would be up to the future property owner to get any MS fours and permits… The city wouldn't have any involvement with that,” said Jason, city staff (planning/public works).

Council members noted planning and zoning had not been unanimous; staff said the commission vote was split (reported in discussion as 4–2) and the possible culvert and flooding history remain outstanding issues. City staff said they do not have a clear record of who installed the existing culverts; one speaker indicated the pipes dated to about 2006.

Council approved the ordinance on first reading after discussion and a motion and second. The vote tally on the first-reading motion was not recorded in the transcript.

The rezoning allows single- and two-family residential uses and light commercial operations including warehousing and storage under B-2 zoning; staff said industrial zoning was not proposed for the interior parcel. Several residents asked the council to consider temporary or time-limited variances if the use were solely for the duration of the water-board work, but staff and a councilor said a time-limited variance could make the property less marketable.

Council members directed staff and applicants to note the culvert questions and to ensure all required permits are obtained by any future owner. No final development approvals or building permits were granted at the meeting; the item advanced as a first reading of the ordinance.

Details about the property owner, prospective buyer and exact permit timelines were not specified in the record.

The council is expected to return the rezoning ordinance for a second reading before final adoption; no second-reading date was set during the meeting.