Council denies Ashford Estates rezoning amid neighbor safety, drainage and density concerns

Midlothian—s City Council voted to deny without prejudice a request to rezone roughly 48.59 acres (the "Ashford Estates" proposal) to Planned Development District 183 for single-family 2 (one-acre minimum lots), following a public hearing on March 25.

The proposal from the applicant would have established 36 single-family lots with minimum one-acre lot sizes, on-site septic systems and water service from Sardis Lone Star Elm (as described at the hearing). The Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended that the ordinance respect the standard setbacks and require a Knox-type emergency lock at the proposed gated connection point.

Residents who live on Rollingwood Lane and Ashford Road testified in opposition, citing safety and capacity concerns for the existing narrow roads, line-of-sight issues at proposed driveway locations, school bus stops near the proposed entrance and chronic drainage problems they said were aggravated when the land had been disturbed previously. Several neighbors said they supported the applicant—s alternate plan that terminates the new street in a cul-de-sac rather than directly connecting to Rollingwood Lane; others asked that any connection, if made, be gated with a Knox box for emergency access only.

Council discussion focused on three main concerns: the project—s conflict with the city—s recently adopted comprehensive-plan module for a 2-acre, rural-density expectation in the area, the narrow existing road infrastructure at the proposed Ashford entrance and unresolved drainage/runoff impacts toward Plum Creek and adjacent properties. One council member said the proposed 36 lots represent about 150% of the density expected under the current future land use designation and suggested a lower lot count (24282824) or larger lots would better fit the comp-plan guidance.

Mayor (motion-maker) moved to deny the rezoning application without prejudice to allow the applicant to rework the plan; Councilman Sheffield seconded the motion. The motion to deny without prejudice passed 5 to 1 (recorded on the meeting record). The denial leaves the applicant free to redesign and return to the council for reconsideration.

Speakers at the hearing included residents Dennis Barkley, Rick Orr, Jared Orr, Chris Ayala and Kevin Coyne; realtor Jeremy Johnson (who said he works with the applicant); and developer representative Hunter, who stood for questions and told council he had spent money on civil engineering and had backup offers on the property. Council members pressed the applicant on grading and drainage plans and asked the applicant to coordinate any redesign with staff before returning.