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Council sends proposed comprehensive plan amendment back to planning commission after objections over Southwest area
Summary
After a yearlong process, the town council voted 3–2 on Oct. 9 to return the proposed comprehensive plan amendment to the planning commission for reconsideration of the land‑use recommendation in a defined Southwest area.
Council considered a proposed amendment to the town’s comprehensive plan after a yearlong public engagement process with a steering committee, public workshops and a planning commission public hearing. Linda Alberhan, the town’s planning director, summarized the project timeline and said the planning commission had voted 6–0 to forward a favorable recommendation on the draft.
During council discussion several members and one public commenter said they had previously told residents in a specific Southwest area (roughly the square around the new middle school north of County Road 100, bounded approximately by County Road 400/500 east–west and the township line) that the area would remain rural/agricultural or have “estate‑size” lots. Councilmember Dawn and a member of the public, John Hudson, said they had personally raised expectations with residents and urged the council to honor those prior commitments.
Councilmember Jason Puckett moved and the council seconded a motion to send the plan back to the planning commission with instructions to amend the land‑use recommendation for the specified Southwest area from residential to agricultural. After a second and discussion the motion passed on roll call, 3–2 (Puckett, Loudon and Holland in favor; Susan and Pope opposed). The planning director said staff would prepare a clarified map and parcel list to ensure the planning commission received a precise description of the area for reconsideration.
Council also recorded its appreciation for the yearlong engagement process and noted the rest of the comprehensive plan was broadly supported by the steering committee and planning commission. Because the council voted to return the Southwest‑area question to the planning commission rather than adopt the amendment as submitted, the amendment was not adopted at the meeting. The planning director will return an amended draft and map based on the council’s instruction.
