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Lincoln County calls public hearings for three rezonings, commissioners debate growth-plan alignment
Summary
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners set public hearings for three rezoning requests to be heard Feb. 18, 2025, including two proposed R-3 (high-density residential) rezonings that drew questions about consistency with the county's growth and comprehensive plans.
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners voted Jan. 21 to call public hearings Feb. 18, 2025, on three rezoning requests: file 2024-R11 (211 McDougall Road, I-2 to C-1), file 2024-R12 (a 54.5-acre parcel on Oakwick Road, A-1 to R-3) and file 2024-R13 (a 21-acre parcel on Huntsville Highway, A-1 to R-3).
Tracy Perkins, Lincoln County planner, presented the requests and said the McDougall Road change is a “down zone” from heavy industrial to general commercial. Perkins described R-12 and R-13 as proposals “to create major subdivisions.”
Commissioner Jenny Rose Walter raised objections to the two R-3 rezonings that would create higher-density residential tracts in her district, urging the body to defer action until the county’s comprehensive and growth plans are complete. She said the county should avoid “leapfrog development” and cited prior requests to revise subdivision rules in 2019 and 2022. Perkins noted county counsel and outside attorney Sean Henry reviewed the McDougall item and characterized it as a down zone with no legal issue.
Commissioner Doug Cunningham and others described the commission’s vote to call hearings as an administrative step that allows the public to comment; Cunningham said a public hearing is “just an opportunity for the public to come and express their views one way or the other.”
The motions to call the hearings passed. The call for a hearing on 2024-R11 passed unanimously. The call for a hearing on 2024-R12 passed by roll call (15 yes, 7 no, 2 absent). The call for a hearing on 2024-R13 passed by roll call (16 yes, 6 no, 2 absent). Perkins said the hearings will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 18, 2025, prior to that day’s commission meeting.
Why it matters: If later approved, the R-3 rezonings would allow higher-density subdivisions on parcels currently zoned agricultural, a change commissioners said could influence where and how the county grows. The public-hearing process will be the formal venue for residents and stakeholders to weigh in before any final rezoning votes.
What comes next: Each rezoning will be considered at a public hearing Feb. 18 and then returned to the commission for a final decision.
