Commissioners set August hearing as developer seeks rezoning; planning staff and city want annexation to Woodstock

Planning staff described a rezoning request for about 11 acres off Putnam Ford Drive from R‑40 to a zoning that would allow smaller residential lots. At the planning commission hearing the applicant had initially sought 38 lots and several variances; staff said the applicant later submitted revised plans reducing lots to 34 (and in one iteration showing 31) and withdrawing several variance requests.

The property abuts the City of Woodstock growth boundary and staff and commissioners discussed annexation as an option. Planning staff said the revised plan now proposes a 50‑foot private access and utility easement for certain lots, a 20‑foot revegetated buffer in one area, and a vehicular connection into an existing neighborhood within the city limits. “Since they're now connecting to that existing neighborhood that's in the city… that was one of staff’s recommendations,” a planner said.

Why this matters: under county process the planning commission recommended denial of the initial request; with the new plan staff recommended calling a new public hearing rather than proceeding with the earlier application as presented to the planning commission. Commissioners and staff said annexation into Woodstock could be a cleaner outcome that avoids split jurisdiction for a single neighborhood, but it would require amending the county‑city growth‑boundary map and likely some coordination time.

Board action and timetable

Commissioners agreed to give the developer time to pursue annexation and to schedule a backup public hearing date in case annexation is not completed. The Board agreed to schedule the hearing for Aug. 19; staff said that gives time to amend the growth boundary map and for Woodstock to consider annexation. If annexation proceeds, the county would withdraw the case; if not, the Board would be prepared to vote on the county rezoning at the Aug. 19 hearing.

Planning details and outstanding items

- Site changes: the applicant removed some variance requests (setbacks and maximum lot coverage variances), increased a private access easement from 40 to 50 feet, and proposed a 20‑foot revegetated zoning buffer in a sensitive area. - City boundary: planning staff and at least one commissioner said the parcel fits the city growth pattern and that annexation into Woodstock would be appropriate to avoid split jurisdiction. Staff noted amending the growth boundary will require a resolution and a revised map. - Process implications: if commissioners take a differing decision from the planning commission, the case must return for public hearing; commissioners and staff settled on Aug. 19 as the date to allow the annexation process to unfold.

Ending

Staff will prepare the growth‑boundary amendment language and maps and coordinate with Woodstock; the Board set Aug. 19 as the county public hearing if annexation is not completed beforehand.