A proposed voluntary annexation and planned-development zoning request that would annex roughly 35.75 acres and allow up to 135 of 358 lots to be smaller than the city's 6,000-square-foot minimum failed on a tied vote after an extended exchange between residents, commissioners, staff and the applicant.

Opponents at the meeting raised concerns about precedent, drainage and emergency access if smaller lots and narrower streets are allowed in established neighborhoods. "I am ready to I am already concerned about the existing traffic congestion, and any additional traffic would worsen this issue," one nearby resident said at the podium, noting the proposal would reduce lot sizes and asking whether promised home prices would be realistic.

Developers and planning staff defended the proposal as a mixed product with average lot sizes and phased infrastructure. An applicant representative said the overall average lot size is about 7,800 square feet, with a mix of lot products, and the project will be built in phases over a multi-year buildout. "The average size is 7,800 square feet, which is well in excess of the 6,000 required by code," the applicant's representative said. The developer estimated a lift station cost of roughly $1,100,000 and said detention and park investments also are planned.

Fire and emergency access were central questions. The fire chief and city engineer confirmed local street widths meet minimum local standards and that emergency vehicles can navigate narrow streets; the developer said homeowners would have two-car garages and driveways sized for two cars, and the HOA would manage parking policies.

Commissioners also discussed the voluntary-annexation sequencing — staff said the annexation and zoning steps occurred earlier in the project's schedule because voluntary annexation requires a developer agreement, but additional plats and phasing approvals could require subsequent commission review. One commissioner asked whether later phases could be conditioned to require an additional road connection; staff said plat approval offers a mechanism to require connections as part of later phases.

On the final motion to approve the annexation ordinance and assign PD zoning, votes were tied and the motion failed. The developer said utilities and some initial infrastructure work will proceed only as permitted by current approvals and agreements; commissioners and staff emphasized notice requirements for neighbors and the ability to revisit issues on subsequent plat or phase approvals.