Perry planning commission tables residential rezone and schedules work session after residents raise wetlands, water-rights and access concerns

The Perry City Planning Commission on Oct. 9 opened a public hearing on Ordinance 25Q, a request to rezone roughly 28 acres to R1‑Third with a development overlay that would allow a conservation-style subdivision of about 84 single-family homes and eight townhomes. After more than an hour of testimony from neighbors about irrigation flows, springs and wetlands, the commission voted unanimously to table the item and schedule a work session with the city council.

Bob (city planner) told the commission the site sits adjacent to Dale Young Nature Park and currently has agricultural zoning; staff explained that a development agreement is required because the proposed emergency-access arrangement does not meet the city code’s requirement for fully improved public streets and thus cannot be resolved by standard subdivision rules. Staff also noted utilities (water and sewer mains) exist in the vicinity but that road and drainage improvements will be part of negotiations.

Residents and property owners told the commission the area includes longstanding irrigation infrastructure and natural springs that feed private and adjacent properties. Braun Bowden (Speaker 7) and Michelle Bowden (Speaker 11) said irrigation flows and wetland areas have historically been used for hay and livestock, and Kim Barnard (Speaker 12) reiterated the wetlands concern and cautioned against using fill to cover natural wetlands. Boyd Young (Speaker 6), who identified family ownership spanning generations, argued the proposed lot sizes (many near 6,500 sq ft) are inconsistent with an R1‑Third expectation and urged transitional, larger lots adjacent to existing large parcels.

Developer Brett Jones (Basin Development) acknowledged the concerns, said the team has consulted a wetlands engineer and could provide documentation, and said they were trying to design a conservation subdivision with meaningful open space, playgrounds, a pavilion and disc-golf amenities. Jones said the team’s goal was not to interrupt neighbors’ irrigation and that they would work to route irrigation flows so adjacent properties retained needed water.

Commissioners raised a mix of procedural and substantive issues: whether the future land-use map supported the change from agriculture to residential, whether the plan provided adequate public benefit to justify negotiating away code standards, the maintenance and ownership of the proposed emergency access easement, and the level of detail provided on open-space improvements and parking for the proposed park. Several commissioners said the proposal felt immature and needed clearer documentation on wetlands, stormwater, access ownership and lot transitions before forwarding a recommendation.

Commissioner (Speaker 4) moved that the commission conduct a work session with city council and table the item until after that joint meeting; the motion passed unanimously. Staff will work with the developer to identify schedule options and will post the work session as a public meeting; the commission said public observers may attend but the work session will not take public comment.

Next steps: The commission will hold a joint work session with the city council to review outstanding issues; the developer can provide wetlands-engineer findings and revised plans prior to that meeting.