The Planning and Land Development Regulation Commission voted to deny a small-scale comprehensive plan amendment and the companion rezoning for a 1.01-acre parcel within the county’s Natural Resource Management Area.

Staff presenter described the revised request as a change from Agricultural Resource (AR) to Rural Future Land Use and a rezoning from Prime Agriculture (A1) to Rural Residential (RR) to accommodate one single-family home. The property is heavily wooded, contains wetlands, and is subject to a 50-foot upland buffer under the Natural Resource Management Area rules; staff estimated roughly 39,000 square feet of upland area remain after applying that buffer. Staff said the site is not adjacent to urban land uses and therefore cannot meet the density criteria for one unit per acre under the alternative density standard. Staff recommended forwarding to the County Council with a final action of denial and not transmitting the amendment to the state department of commerce for expedited review.

Applicant Gerald Lewis told the commission he consulted environmental professionals and reviewed elevation conditions before purchasing; he said he planned to build a primary residence and that the eastern portion of the lot is buildable. Commissioners asked whether submitted materials included a topography and elevation overlay showing the 50-foot buffer and wetland lines; staff said the survey in the package showed boundaries but not the NRMA 50-foot buffer overlay clearly, and a separate topography map appears in the packet.

During discussion, Member Bush said she would deny the requests, citing concerns about precedent, flood risk, and the appropriateness of changing land use when surrounding areas remain A1; she said property buyers should do due diligence before purchase. The commission first voted on a motion to recommend approval; that motion failed. A subsequent motion to deny the comprehensive plan amendment passed 4–2, and a separate motion to deny the rezoning also passed 4–2. The staff record and applicant materials will be forwarded to the County Council for final action.