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Commissioners deny rezoning for planned residential development on 15.44‑acre site
Summary
The Board of Commissioners voted to disapprove a rezoning request to change about 15.44 acres from R‑2 to PRD to allow 104 cottages, citing access and environmental concerns identified during planning review.
The Columbia County Board of Commissioners on June 3 voted to disapprove a request to rezone roughly 15.44 acres from R‑2 (10,000‑square‑foot lots) to a Planned Residential Development that would have allowed cottages and attached units.
Mr. Schachter, the county planning staff member who presented the item, told commissioners the property in question is currently zoned R‑2 and that the developer revised plans after fire access and environmental concerns reduced the unit count from roughly 120 to 104. "These areas you have in the middle here, these are actual pedestrian ways that will double as fire access in the event it was needed," Schachter said.
The application proposed cottages ranging roughly from 800 to 1,500 square feet, with a mix of freestanding cottages, duplexes and townhome‑style units and about 220 parking spaces; staff noted wetlands and streams on the site present environmental challenges.
A motion to disapprove the rezoning was made and seconded on the floor; the motion carried. The board referenced conditions listed in the Planning Commission's May 15, 2025 recommendation when considering the item. The applicant was not present to add remarks during the hearing.
