Planning commission recommends rezoning 2.25-acre lot for Snow Enterprises

The Newcastle Planning and Zoning Commission on July 28 recommended that city council approve rezoning case R2025-00010, a request to change a 2.25-acre parcel from General Agricultural (AG) to E‑1 Suburban Estate Residential.

City staff presented the application and a map showing the 2.25-acre parcel at the northeast corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Southeast 30 Second Street. Staff said the lot is part of a larger tract recently purchased by Snow Enterprises LLC, but that the small parcel did not meet the minimum lot-size requirement for AG zoning so the applicant is seeking the rezoning to E‑1. Staff recommended approval of R2025-00010.

Applicant Olivia Snow said she and Snow Enterprises purchased the larger property from the Allison family but intentionally excluded the 2.25‑acre square so the seller could retain pond access. Snow told the commission she bought the parcel to enable the sale to close and expects to return the lot to the family member after the rezoning. She described the surrounding area as a mix of large‑lot residential and agricultural properties and said she did not anticipate negative impacts to nearby properties.

Commissioners asked staff and the applicant to confirm location details, minimum lot-size requirements and that the parcel meets E‑1 neighborhood context. A commissioner noted that E‑1 zoning has a minimum lot area of 80,000 square feet; staff and the applicant confirmed the proposed lot size and said the parcel is consistent with nearby E‑1 lots.

A motion to recommend approval of rezoning case R2025-00010 to city council was made, seconded and approved unanimously by the commissioners present.

The commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to city council for final action; no council decision was recorded in this meeting.