Planning commission recommends R1-19 rezoning for 410 S. Woodland Hills Drive with lot‑size and access limits

The Woodland Hills Planning Committee voted Aug. 20 to recommend that the City Council approve a zone change from R-2 to R-1-19 for the property at 410 South Woodland Hills Drive, and to include conditions that keep the lot sizes shown on the plat and limit vehicle access to two entrances.

The recommendation follows a presentation from the applicant, who said the proposal would retain the existing house on Lot 1 and create eight additional lots, with the smallest lot measuring about 0.78 acre and the remainder close to 1 acre. The developer said the proposed lot configuration is shown on the submitted plat.

A planning commission member who made the motion said the commission should “leave the lots as shown on the detail and limit the amount of entrances to 2.” The motion was seconded and approved in a voice vote; the commission chair said the recommendation will be forwarded to city council, which will hold a public hearing and may adopt, modify or reject the commission’s recommendation.

Commissioners and staff discussed access design and neighborhood impacts. Staff noted the existing house would continue to access Woodland Hills Drive and the new lots would connect to a proposed internal road system. Commissioners expressed concern about vehicles backing directly onto Woodland Hills Drive and discussed a condition directing Lot 1’s driveway to connect to an internal access road to avoid additional driveway openings onto Woodland Hills Drive.

Staff explained local ordinance and process: the Planning Committee reviews the rezoning request and forwards a recommendation to City Council, which will schedule a public hearing and notify adjacent property owners. The applicant told the commission the seller (the Gehrigs) provided a letter of support and that a closing is scheduled next week; staff confirmed adjacent owners will be notified of the council hearing.

Details discussed at the meeting that can affect final approval include whether the lot acreages stay as shown on the plat rather than being scaled down to 19,000‑square‑foot lots, the number and placement of driveways on Woodland Hills Drive, and whether the city or private party will own the internal roads. The commission noted sidewalks are not required under current local ordinances for this location and that the proposed internal right of way is designed as a 56‑foot public roadway with curb aprons and possible rock‑lined ditches.