Residents and commissioners raise access, subdivision concerns at first hearing for Wilbanks Lane rezoning

At a first hearing the board considered Ordinance 2025‑37 (land‑use amendment) and Ordinance 2025‑38 (rezoning) for a 7.51‑acre parcel on Wilbanks Lane. Planning staff explained the applicant seeks a change that would allow smaller, very low‑density residential lots and said LPA recommended approval with the caveat that the parcel’s proposed subdivision—three lots total—would likely require a subdivision application because the lot was created prior to the county’s 1991 baseline rules.

Planning staff (LaDonna) explained family‑lot exemptions and timing: in some cases a family‑lot transfer can avoid subdivision requirements if a homestead is established first, but the applicants’ intent to build concurrently with their children means the family‑lot path may not apply and a subdivision review would be required. Commissioners pressed staff on triggers and thresholds and asked whether private easement access and narrow private drive conditions could force costly subdivision improvements.

Neighbor David Gray, who lives adjacent to Wilbanks Lane, told the board he was worried about added traffic on the private driveway and asked whether the zoning change implied creation of one‑acre lots. Planning staff clarified that zoning sets allowed lot types but does not itself create recorded lots; proposed subdivisions must come back for review. Property owner Susan Davis spoke in support and said she and her family intend to live on the property; staff urged the owners to meet with planning staff and return with clarified plans for the second hearing.

Commissioners said they wanted the applicants and staff to fully outline costs and access options before the second hearing; one commissioner signaled he was inclined to vote no on the current plan if it remained unchanged because of easement, access and potential subdivision costs.