Board sends Al Ash’s R‑3 lot‑configuration proposal back to planners, asks for larger open‑space requirement

The Madison County Board of Supervisors voted to send a zoning text amendment back to the Planning Commission for additional study after discussion of an application by developer Al Ash to modify Article 7 (R‑3 residential multifamily) to allow narrower lots and a smaller minimum lot area.

What was proposed: Planning staff summarized that the applicant’s proposal would lower minimum lot width (from 150 feet to 65 feet in the draft) and reduce the minimum lot area for some R‑3 configurations, enabling smaller, more compact single‑family lots and other configurations that can produce different residential types. Mr. Nichols, planning staff, told the commission the change "allows for parcels to be configured in a different way than they currently are" and that the edits were intended to allow more orderly and efficient development where public infrastructure is available.

Why it matters: The proposal generated concern about net increases in…