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Board debates authority to approve 0.91-acre Mann PUD after Planning & Zoning split
Summary
A proposed planned-unit development for two combined Donna Marie Drive lots (0.91 acres) drew debate after P&Z failed the measure 4–5; board members discussed safety, parking and whether the aldermen may approve PUDs smaller than the 3-acre code minimum.
Warrenton — The Board of Aldermen spent substantial time on a rezoning and PUD request from applicant James Mann to combine two lots at 2304 and 2308 Donna Marie Drive into a single 0.91-acre planned unit development.
Planning Director Tim Burks presented the application and noted the PUD regulation requires a minimum site size of 3 acres. Per Burks, the proposed project would build two two-story buildings with four residential units each (eight total). The Planning & Zoning Commission voted against the PUD, 4–5, with one absence; P&Z did approve the boundary line adjustment to consolidate the lots and forwarded it to the Board.
Bart Corman of Lewis & Beatty, representing the applicant, told the board the lots were originally plotted to allow multifamily uses and argued the project fits the area’s character. Corman and staff said the municipal code contains language that allows the Board of Aldermen to approve a PUD smaller than three acres under certain conditions such as historical character, topography or isolated problems.
Board members raised parking and precedent concerns. One alderman asked about parking counts; Corman and staff said the project provides 18 spaces where 16 are required. Several aldermen stressed safety as the paramount standard when considering exceptions to the 3-acre rule. Members also discussed whether approving this PUD would create a binding precedent for other undersized lots; legal counsel present indicated the code language gives discretion and does not automatically bind future decisions.
The transcript records that a reading of the rezoning ordinance (bill 81-24) was moved, but the meeting record provided does not show a final roll-call vote on the PUD rezoning within the posted transcript. P&Z’s 4–5 failure and the board’s extensive discussion were the meeting’s substantive outcomes on this item.
Clifton Wolf, a nearby resident, spoke during public comment and said his family had lost real-estate value after a recent code change and expressed support for Mann’s application.
The board discussed next steps including possible workshop review and additional outreach to clarify expectations for applicants with small or "orphan" lots prior to spending on plans. Staff said they will add similar items to future workshops to allow preliminary feedback.
