Planning commission approves transfer of one development right in SC 25-01 to keep development out of floodplain

The Saline County Planning and Zoning Commission on March 25 approved subdivision exception SC 25-01, allowing River Ridge Properties LLC to transfer one development right from a 213-acre sending parcel in Section 31, Township 13 South, Range 1 West, to an approximately 33-acre receiving parcel in Section 23, Township 13 South, Range 4 West. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

Planning staff recommended approval, saying the sending parcel, owned by the Jerry and Janet Ironton Trust, meets code requirements for transfers intended to move potential development out of a floodplain and is at least the 80-acre minimum for a sending property. Staff said the sending property will retain two development rights after the transfer and that the owner has held the property for more than 10 years. Staff also reported the receiving parcel generally meets code requirements; it is not in the floodplain but contains a small area designated Zone A at its north end. The receiving parcel contains a relatively small amount of Class 1 or Class 2 farm soils, staff said.

The commission approved the transfer with conditions: no additional splits or development-right transfers will be allowed on the sending parcel, the parcel will remain agriculturally zoned, and the county retains the discretion to rezone the property in the future. Planning staff listed the approval as consistent with the county's 2022 comprehensive plan and the intent of the county's floodplain regulations to discourage development within the floodplain.

There was no public comment recorded on the application. The commission’s alternatives discussed on the record included approving with staff findings and conditions, approving with amended findings or conditions, tabling for further consideration, or denying based on commission findings. The action taken was to approve according to staff findings and conditions.