Planning commission denies rezoning request for 3751 Lazy Creek Drive after residents cite traffic, runoff and safety concerns

The Tyler Planning and Zoning Commission voted to deny a request by property owner Matthew Hayden to rezone 3751 Lazy Creek Drive from R1A (single-family residential) to R1B (single-family residential with smaller minimum lot sizes) on a motion to deny that carried on a roll call vote.

Staff had recommended approval of the rezoning, saying the request would allow five detached single-family homes rather than the four that are permitted under the current R1A zoning. Planning staff reported that of 10 mailed notices one was returned in favor and one in opposition, yielding a protest calculation of 15.02 percent.

Neighbors and homeowners who spoke during the hearing objected to the rezoning on traffic safety, drainage and sedimentation grounds and argued the additional lot would be too dense for the immediate area. Michael Clayhorn, president of the Woods 1 and 2 Property Owners Association, told commissioners the association was “vehemently opposing this development,” citing concerns about increased driveway entries near a steep intersection and added runoff into the subdivision’s silt pond.

Resident Melinda Wheaton said the intersection at Callaway Road and Lazy Creek Drive is already hazardous because of a steep approach and frequent crashes into retaining walls. “You cannot put more housing there and not create a bigger safety hazard than we already have,” she said. Several speakers also offered photos and anecdotal evidence of repeated collisions and of silt and sediment collecting in the neighborhood pond.

Matthew Hayden, the property owner and applicant, said the R1B zoning would reduce minimum lot area from 9,000 square feet to 6,000 square feet and allow a fifth home; he said his plan would mirror a 2023 development on Callaway Road. Hayden provided price-range estimates for the new homes, saying they would likely sell in the “ballpark of $260,000 to $280,000.” He also said he had discussed driveway design and would seek on-site turnarounds so vehicles would not have to back directly onto Callaway.

City staff acknowledged traffic-engineering guidance that multiple direct driveways on a collector/residential street are not ideal and said an on-site turnaround would be preferable. Staff reiterated that the technical review found the rezoning generally consistent with approval criteria and recommended approval.

After extended public comment and discussion, Commissioner Michael Carmichael moved to deny the rezoning; the motion passed on roll call. The commission’s action leaves the property zoned R1A; any future rezoning application could be refiled in accordance with the city’s procedures.