Derby council sends 39.8‑acre rezoning back to planning commission after neighbors raise flooding and density concerns

The Derby City Council voted 7‑0 on Sept. 9 to return a proposed rezoning for land south of 50 Fifth Street and west of Woodlawn Boulevard to the planning commission so staff and the developer can explore a reduced R2 area and single‑family buffer.

City planner Scott Knaebel said the subject site covers 39.8 acres within a 50.8‑acre parent tract and that the applicant seeks to change zoning from R1A (urban density single‑family) to R2 (two‑family). “The, subject site is, 39.8 acres,” Knaebel said, describing a plan that would place two‑family units in the center of the tract while leaving the eastern portion inside the floodplain in R1A for detention and open space.

The rezoning was recommended for approval 9‑0 by the planning commission subject to platting within one year, Knaebel said; that process would require a licensed engineer to prepare a drainage plan and meet subdivision rules that keep post‑development runoff from exceeding…