Sponsor pulls proposed moratorium and density change after Hamilton County residents, builders debate roads and sewer capacity

Two proposals that would have limited development in unincorporated Hamilton County were pulled from consideration Friday after a public and commissioner-led debate about roads, sewer capacity and how density is calculated.

Commissioner Highlander, sponsor of the measures, told the Hamilton County Commission that he would "go ahead and pull these 2" resolutions and said he will seek compromise with Planning staff after hearing public input. The resolutions read into the record were Resolution 3 25-4, which would have required building permits in unincorporated county to be granted based on a site's buildable area rather than its total acreage, and Resolution 3 25-5, which would have imposed a moratorium on zoning changes in Area 9 (County Commission Districts 9 and 10) until Plan Hamilton is adopted.

The debate drew more than a half-dozen residents and industry representatives who argued sharply over the proposals' likely effects. Kim Helton, a resident of 8618 Snow Hill Road who said she was speaking for many neighbors, urged a moratorium or at least a time-limited pause so the county could finish its new Plan Hamilton, saying there are "close to 4,000 already approved still to…