Hearing examiner recommends rezoning of 61.55-acre McFarland Farms site amid traffic, flood and habitat concerns

The hearing examiner recommended approval on Feb. 27 of a petition to rezone about 61.55 acres at 7500 South Sherman Drive from DA to D3, and to forward the petition to the Metropolitan Development Commission for consideration on March 19.

The petitioner’s attorney, Russell Brown of Clark Quinn, told the examiner “this petition seeks to rezone approximately 61 largely undeveloped acres to the D3 zoning classification” and described a proposed cluster subdivision that would preserve wetlands and open space while allowing new single-family lots.

Staff and the petitioner said the plan was crafted to protect wooded areas and wetlands. Kathleen (planner, Department of Metropolitan Development) told the hearing examiner that staff supports the rezoning as consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan recommendation of “suburban neighborhood” and asked for three staff commitments, including a tree inventory and wetland protections. The petitioner filed a set of…