Hickman County Commission sets October vote on R1 zoning changes, orders county road and water maps for review

Hickman County commissioners discussed proposed amendments to the county's R1 zoning rules (Resolution 25-29) during their Sept. 22 meeting, setting a single vote for the full commission in October after the required two-month review period and ordering county staff to provide each commissioner a map showing which roads have a 30-foot right-of-way and which are served by potable water.

The item drew public comment and several commissioners' questions about when and how the county will allow new subdivisions in the designated growth area around Bon Aqua. During public comment, Ethan Post, a resident, and Austin Page, a resident, urged caution; Page said, "And now in 30 days, we're gonna change the R1 resolution and and live by it for the next 25 years," arguing the change moved too quickly for homeowners to prepare.

Commissioner Clark (a county commissioner) described the intent of the amendment as restoring the R1 zoning's original purpose: to make construction of subdivisions smoother for developers in the growth area but only where basic infrastructure exists. "The R1 was created for the purpose of making the path a little smoother for the developer when he develops a subdivision," Clark said, adding the amendment would limit R1 to areas with the specified right-of-way and potable water so taxpayers are not left to upgrade feeder roads and utilities.

Commissioner Paul Calicott (county commissioner) told colleagues the presence of a water line or an upgraded road would allow a property to qualify; the requirement does not prohibit developers from installing infrastructure to meet the standard. "If the water line's not there, the water line can be put in, or the road can be brought up to specs," Calicott said.

Several commissioners asked procedural and technical questions. Commissioners clarified that the county road list records "right-of-way" measurements annually and that the planning office will check whether candidate properties meet the R1 criteria when a rezoning request reaches the planning commission. The body confirmed it will hold the required public hearing(s) through the planning commission and will cast the single formal vote at the October county commission meeting.

Commissioner Steve Gianakis moved that, prior to the planning commission meeting, each county commissioner receive a county map showing which roads have a 30-foot right-of-way and which are served by potable water; the commission approved that motion by roll call, 12 yes, 1 absent. The chair said the county will email the maps to commissioners and make them available on the county website.

Remaining questions raised included whether the 30-foot minimum is the appropriate standard and whether the requirement should allow narrower right-of-way widths in select cases; Commissioner Martin suggested 25 feet might be sufficient. Commissioners said those substantive policy questions will be debated at the planning commission and again at the October commission meeting before any final vote.

The planning staff and commissioners said the R1 amendment applies only inside the county's designated growth area and not countywide. Commissioners urged residents with questions to attend the planning commission meeting the first week of next month and to review the road and water maps once distributed.

No formal rezoning decision was taken on Resolution 25-29 at the Sept. 22 meeting; the commission set the schedule and information request that will inform the October vote.