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Commission recommends denial of Old Hickory rezoning after planning commission questions comprehensive plan alignment
Summary
The commission voted unanimously to deny a rezoning request for 159.64 acres on Old Hickory Road after finding the proposal conflicted with the county's comprehensive plan and raising concerns about infrastructure and public‑safety impacts.
Lancaster County Planning Commission members unanimously recommended denial of a rezoning request for 159.64 acres along Old Hickory Road after staff said the rezoning was contingent on a comprehensive‑plan amendment that the commission previously denied.
Staff said the property, submitted by G3 Engineering on behalf of Old Hickory LLC, is currently zoned rural neighborhood and the adopted comprehensive plan designates the site as rural. The applicant has sought rezoning tied to a proposed future land‑use change to a growth area. Staff told commissioners that because county council has not decided the companion comprehensive plan amendment, staff could not provide a firm recommendation; commissioners were reminded the commission previously recommended denial of the associated comprehensive‑plan amendment.
Planning staff identified infrastructure and public‑safety implications: the parcel lies in a transitional area around the city of Lancaster, water and sewer availability in the area has changed since the comprehensive plan was adopted, and the site is served by the Riverside Volunteer Fire Department, which is a non‑career station with typically slower response times.
Applicant representative Dean Aldridge said the owner and developer were reviewing commission comments and hoped to reach agreement with the county on appropriate development. Resident Barbara Scannell urged commissioners to consider countywide impacts, citing previously approved units and the strain on emergency services and schools.
Commissioner Lynette Henson moved to approve the rezoning; Commissioner Cureton seconded. On roll call the commission recorded a unanimous vote to deny the rezoning and will pass the commission's recommendation to county council.
Why it matters: Rezoning this large parcel would enable a change in allowed uses and higher densities; commission members cited the comprehensive plan and public‑safety and service limitations as the primary rationale for denial and signaled that any future action would need to address those issues and the companion plan amendment.
