Planning panel backs rezoning of 76.6-acre Waldron–Blair site for mixed‑use project

The Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to send a favorable recommendation to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for a rezoning request affecting about 76.6 acres on and near Waldron and Blair roads.

Mister Logan, a planning staff member, summarized the application as a concept plan and rezoning request by Equitable Property Company LLC for property identified as Tax Map 32, parcels 3.04 and 3.05, and Tax Map 29, parcels 41.01 and 41.02, currently zoned R‑1 (low‑density residential). The applicant seeks PDR (Planned Density Residential) with an R‑3 base (high‑density residential) for mixed use, including multifamily, townhomes, single‑family units, and commercial/office space.

The project materials shown to the commission describe two main parcels (“north” and “south”) and include multiple unit‑count figures. The presentation lists roughly 336 apartment units on the north parcel and 242 on the south parcel. An earlier slide in the packet referenced an overall total of about “614” dwelling units; the record therefore contains differing totals. The applicant’s book also identifies about 208,000 square feet of commercial and office space and shows a portion of the south parcel reserved for a future grocery store.

Staff noted design specifics and material standards in the submitted design book. The packet states masonry and stone options and lists allowable cementitious siding products such as fiber‑cement brands; it also specifies percentage breakdowns for exterior materials (for example, a staff page shows townhomes at 60% fiber‑cement board and 40% masonry, and multifamily buildings described as 20% brick/stone and 55% fiber cement with about 19% glazing). The applicant received a variance earlier in the meeting to allow up to four stories on portions of the site; renderings in the packet show three‑ and four‑story buildings and depict ground‑floor retail with upper‑story residential on parts of the south parcel. The plans also reserve a site for a future fire hall.

Commission questions and public outreach comments were largely favorable. One board member described roughly an "80/20" positive reaction from neighborhood conversations and said local residents were excited about the proposed retail; another said he had met with homeowners associations for nearby subdivisions and described their response as “very excited.” Staff reported that planning and engineering comments in the packet had been addressed.

After discussion, a board member moved to give a favorable recommendation; the motion was seconded by Mr. Mark. The commission voted by voice and the motion passed. The commission will forward its recommendation to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for final action.

The record shows differences in unit totals between packet slides and the presentation; the commission’s action was limited to recommending rezoning and concept approval and does not itself approve final site plan details, design specifics, or building permits. Further approvals and any required regulatory reviews will occur at subsequent steps if the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and other agencies grant final approvals.