Planning commission recommends rezoning of 9.05‑acre Bellevue‑area parcel to Residential Estate

The Marion County Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval on May 12 of a rezoning request for a 9.05‑acre parcel west of the city of Belleview, changing the zoning from General Agriculture (A‑1) to Residential Estate (RE).

Growth Services planner Eric Kramer presented the staff analysis and said the property’s future land‑use designation is Low Residential, which allows up to one dwelling unit per acre. Kramer said the requested RE zoning is compatible with the Low Residential designation and surrounding large‑lot single‑family development. "The rezoning is compatible with surrounding uses, will not adversely affect the public interest, and is consistent with the comprehensive plan," Kramer said.

Applicant representative Rob Batzel said the rezoning would facilitate a one‑time family division: the applicant intends to create a roughly 2‑acre home site for family occupancy and leave the remaining acreage with long‑time family owners. Batzel noted there are not central utilities at the site and that "the maximum they could get even if they did so would be four units" under county rules; the applicant is seeking three. Adjacent property owner and commissioner Michael Behar objected on the record, asking whether the rezoning would allow up to one dwelling per acre if the owner later sought a subdivision. Growth Services staff clarified that while the future land use allows up to one unit per acre, any subdivision to create one‑acre lots would require the full development/platting review and infrastructure (roads, utilities) and is therefore not an immediate entitlement.

Commissioner Jerry Loranko moved to recommend approval based on staff findings; the motion was seconded and carried. The recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for final action.