Norwalk planning commission recommends rezoning 14.867 acres north of Blooming Heights

The Norwalk Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday recommended that the City Council rezone 14.867 acres north of the Blooming Heights neighborhood from AR (Agricultural Reserve) to R‑1 single‑family residential, a change that staff and the applicant said would allow roughly 19 to 20 single‑family lots.

Planning staff opened a public hearing at 5:47 p.m. and recommended approval, saying the request matches the city’s future land‑use designation of low‑density residential. Brad Cooper of Cooper and Associates, appearing for applicant Diligent Development, told the commission the concept envisions “19 to 20 single family lots that range from 80 to 90 foot in width.”

The proposal drew questions from nearby homeowners about wildlife, views and property values. Dan Roberts, a Greenleaf Circle resident, asked whether any habitat studies had been done and warned that houses built behind his lot could reduce his view and perceived property value. "Questions if there's been any habitat studies down there. There's a bunch of wildlife," Roberts said.

City planning staff told the commission the city typically does not require wildlife studies for rezoning requests and that studies and mitigation are handled later in the development process if state or federal rules apply. "Not anything, not anything on any wildlife studies," Elliot, a city planning staff member, said during the hearing. Staff also noted questions about assessed value are handled by Warren County's assessor, not the city.

Members of the commission discussed street configuration and future connectivity. Commissioner Andrew Stager asked whether Redbud Street would continue north or terminate; the applicant described a plan to extend Redbud north, add a hammerhead near Middle Creek and ultimately connect east toward 50th Street in a future phase. The applicant also said some lots on the east side of the new road would be in the 90‑foot range, with minimums of about 80 feet.

After deliberation, the commission voted to recommend approval by roll call: Commissioner Forrest — aye; Commissioner Thompson — aye; Commissioner Steiger — aye; Commissioner Samuelson — aye; Commissioner Reaganator — aye. The commission closed the public hearing at 5:55 p.m. and forwarded the recommendation to the City Council. The council will take up the rezoning on Aug. 7 at 6:00 p.m. in the same room, where the public will have another opportunity to comment.

Votes at a glance

Several other land‑use items on the July 28 agenda were approved without extended public hearing debate. The commission approved final plats and a site plan later in the meeting by roll call votes: HRC Norwalk LLC — Holland Point Plat 3 (final plat), approved; Sunset Estates Norwalk LLC — Sunset Estates Plat 5 (33 single‑family lots, final plat), approved; Sherman Hill Real Estates Partnership LLC — site plan for Dimas (commercial 13,000 sq ft building), approved. Those approvals were routine final‑plat and site‑plan motions; staff respondents described connectivity, trails and street stub extensions tied to those plats.