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Residents urge council to reject Yellowwater/Normandy rezoning, citing traffic and rural character
Summary
Dozens of residents spoke during public hearings opposing land‑use changes and rezonings for parcels north of Normandy Boulevard and other nearby sites, saying local roads cannot absorb new development and asking the council to preserve agricultural character.
During the council’s public‑hearing block, several speakers urged the council to deny or slow proposed land‑use changes and rezonings affecting Yellowwater Road, Normandy Boulevard and nearby properties. The public hearings included multiple speakers who said the existing two‑lane roads are already overloaded and that increased development will endanger residents and change long‑standing agricultural neighborhoods.
Residents’ concerns: Speakers said traffic has increased sharply in recent years and pointed to recent construction openings and planned projects that they say were not included in staff traffic analyses. Michael Rath, a long‑time resident who said he lives at 14913 Bell Estates Road, told the council he and neighbors cannot afford to move and asked the council to “be our advocate.” David Faircloth provided a written analysis and argued that staff traffic counts understate load because they exclude active projects already permitted or under construction.
Rural preservation: Multiple residents, including Penny Buckland McGregor and Leslie Roden, described small agricultural households and horse properties on Yellowwater Road and said the area should remain agricultural or low‑density residential rather than be rezoned to allow large new subdivisions.
Staff and calendar notes: Planning staff told the council the items are companion actions (comprehensive‑plan amendments and rezonings) and that additional hearings or continuances may be scheduled for follow‑up. The council closed the hearings with direction that affected items will continue to later calendar dates when appropriate.
What happens next: Several land‑use items were continued to future council dates; developers and residents may appear again at subsequent hearings. Council members asked staff for clearer traffic modeling that includes projects already approved or under construction.
