Planning commission defers rezoning request for 1455 Rogers Lake Road after staff flags multiple proposals

The Stonecrest Planning Commission on July 1 voted unanimously to defer a rezoning request for 1455 Rogers Lake Road so the applicant can return with a single, complete site plan.

City planning staff recommended denial of the rezoning application, RZ25-001, because the submittal included three different development options — townhomes, duplex lots and single-family lots — which staff said prevented them from making a thorough assessment. The property is tax parcel 1613103012 and, according to the applicant’s presentation, is about 14.86 acres and partially wooded.

Deputy Director (Planning Department) told commissioners there were no floodplains or wetlands on the site, that the city’s public notice radius had been satisfied and that a community planning information meeting was held in February. Staff recommended denial because “there are multiple options” in the request and not a single, defined plan the department could evaluate.

John Nicks, agent for Bullard Land Planning, appearing for the property owner, said the applicant intends to pursue the townhouse option and asked the commission to consider that use. “We’re requesting to move forward on the townhouse as it’s presented in the application,” Nicks said, adding that the city’s future land use map already designates the site for a use consistent with RSM (Small Lot Residential Mix).

Commissioner Erica Williams (District 1) said she agreed with staff that the commission needed a single design to evaluate impacts and avoid setting a precedent of approving multi-option submittals: “I don’t feel very comfortable approving anything, and there are so many options out there.” Commissioner Lemuel Hawkins echoed Williams, saying he would be more comfortable seeing “one design that I felt comfortable with.”

There were no public speakers recorded in opposition or support during the hearing. After discussion, Hawkins moved to defer the application to allow the applicant to select a single design and return with a complete submittal for staff review; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Williams and carried unanimously.

The planning commission’s deferral sends the matter back to the applicant and staff for a more detailed site plan and staff review; the commission did not take a final position on rezoning. The commission will revisit the item when the applicant returns with a single, complete design and a revised staff report.

Details: parcel 1613103012 (1455 Rogers Lake Road); applicant presented three site options including a 75-unit townhouse plan; staff noted the site’s future land use designation as suburban and said additional analysis will be possible once a single proposal is submitted.