On July 3, 2025, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend that City Council not approve a request to rezone a portion of the Aspen Ridge Addition from R‑1 (single‑family) to R‑2 (higher density single‑family). The applicant was not present at the public hearing.

Commissioners said the applicant’s stated purpose — to reduce the required frontage from 80 feet (R‑1) to 50 feet (R‑2) so more lots can be created — raises questions about neighborhood character, later variance requests and safety. “It kinda feels like bait and switch,” one commissioner said during the discussion about developers first proposing larger lots and later seeking higher density.

The application describes reducing seven lots to nine lots in the subject area; staff said that change would allow more buildable frontage under R‑2 rules. Staff also noted infrastructure implications: moving from R‑1 to R‑2 would likely require revised development engineering plans (DEPs) and additional water and sewer work, which could affect streets and require additional utility cuts.

Commissioners raised several concerns: whether the proposed R‑2 would be consistent with the preliminary plan already approved for the development, whether plats and lot dimensions when recorded would limit uses the developer might later request, and whether additional driveways on the curve where lots would be added would create safety issues. One commissioner observed that R‑1 requires 80 feet of frontage while R‑2 requires 50 feet, and asked, “Why do we need to go from R‑1 to R‑2 if they’re still going to be single‑family homes?” Staff replied that the rezoning is the applicant’s mechanism to create smaller lots and that any final details would appear at platting.

After discussion the commission made and seconded a motion to send a recommendation of “do not approve” on the rezoning request to the City Council. The motion carried. The item will appear on the City Council agenda the following Monday.

Because the applicant was not present, commissioners discussed two administrative paths the applicant could take if Council upholds the commission’s recommendation: proceed with R‑1 lot sizes (80‑foot frontage) or return with supplemental materials and seek Council consideration. Staff said a denial of the rezoning would not itself prohibit the applicant from making a new application or presenting additional information to Council.

Votes at a glance: the commission voted to recommend City Council not approve the Aspen Ridge rezone from R‑1 to R‑2; the applicant was not present and the commission’s recommendation is advisory to Council.

Background: R‑1 and R‑2 are local residential zoning districts. The applicant’s packet described the change as contiguous with existing R‑2 zones adjacent to the site and said the purpose was to allow smaller single‑family detached homes by reducing frontage requirements.