Commission recommends rezoning of 5-acre Highway 76 property to allow lot split and new home

The New Castle Planning and Zoning Commission on Jan. 27 recommended rezoning a five-acre parcel at 2129 State Highway 76 from general agricultural to E-1 suburban estate residential to permit a proposed lot split.

Applicant Derek Nell, who spoke at the hearing, said he purchased the five-acre parcel and plans to split it into a 2-acre lot containing the existing house and a 3-acre lot for a new home. "My name is Derek Nell. My home address is 3001 Goldfinish Drive... The new opening would be closer to around 260 foot away from that drive," Nell said when discussing drive access.

Planner Kevin Hagbert said the property meets E-1 minimum area requirements and that staff found no foreseeable negative impacts because the parcel is surrounded by agricultural uses. Hagbert said the E-1 district requires a minimum lot size of 80,000 square feet and that the proposed division would meet zoning standards.

Commissioners asked about access onto Highway 76 and whether a common entrance might reduce curb cuts; Nelson said the existing driveway location and state requirements would apply to any new opening. The commission moved and seconded a recommendation to approve the rezoning; the motion passed unanimously.

The recommendation allows the applicant to proceed with local approvals and any necessary state permitting for driveway access to Highway 76. The commission did not record public opposition to the request during the hearing.