Commission approves rezoning for Casa Bella parcel to allow townhomes with no short-term rentals

The Board of County Commissioners voted 4-0 to rezone a five-acre parcel in District 4 from BU1A (restricted neighborhood retail) to RU2-6, clearing the way for a townhome development of roughly 20 to 30 units and attaching a binding development plan (BDP) restriction banning short-term rentals. Kim Rozanca, representing the contract purchaser DiPrima Construction Corp., said the parcel on Wickham Road is currently vacant and that the company—s concept plan shows 20 townhomes, with a possible build of up to 30 units consistent with RU2-6 density limits. "We have provided a concept plan ... that shows 20 units," Rozanca said, adding the developer—s intent to sell homes at about $600,000 with two-car garages. Rozanca told commissioners the townhome plan would avoid wetlands, include a 50-foot buffer to the west and produce materially fewer vehicle trips than a potential commercial center. She said staff analysis showed no concurrency issues and that the proposed residential use would be consistent with comprehensive-plan policies for the mixed-use area. A submitted traffic analysis estimated about 216 daily trips for the townhome scenario compared with a potential 7,127 net new daily trips from a large commercial center. Commissioner Delaney moved approval conditioned on a binding development plan prohibiting short-term rentals; Commissioner Atkinson seconded. The roll call recorded Delaney, Goodson, Atkinson and Chairman Feltner voting yes, and the motion passed 4-0. The rezoning requires final platting and site engineering; the applicant acknowledged the concept plan is preliminary and said detailed engineering will avoid wetlands and provide required buffering. Staff noted the parcel is adjacent to the Casa Bella plat and near multi-story apartments and that RU2-6 would cap density at 30 units per acre under the Future Land Use designation. With the BDP condition, the board approved the rezoning and the applicant may proceed to platting and required site-plan reviews.