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Commissioners approve rezoning of Craig Road parcel to R‑1 after public objections
Summary
The Scott County Board of Commissioners voted 2–1 to approve Ordinance 21 rezoning parcels on South US 31 and 305 West Craig Road from agricultural to R‑1 residential, after hours of public comment raising concerns about roads, services and notification.
The Scott County Board of Commissioners voted 2–1 to approve Ordinance 21 rezoning property on South US 31 and 305 West Craig Road from agricultural to R‑1 residential, the board announced after a public hearing and deliberation.
Attorney Jeff Rocker, representing the applicant, told the board the site "could suit over a 100 new homes in Scott County," and said utilities including water, sewer, gas and fiber are available to support the development. Rocker also said the proposal had a 6–1 favorable recommendation from the planning commission.
Residents who live near the parcel urged the board to reject or limit the rezoning. Sharon Schmidtler and other neighbors cited safety and infrastructure concerns including narrow roads and lack of culverts, potential strain on emergency services and schools, and wetlands on the property. Tonda Ritchie said she had photographs of sections of the road she deemed too narrow for increased traffic and asked, "If we bring all these houses in, what kind of catastrophe are you waiting to happen on that road?"
Rocker and the applicant's representatives responded that the project is privately funded — "This is all coming out of their pockets," he said — and that more technical details, including lot layout, drainage, fire access and phasing, would be addressed during the plat and plan-review stages before construction. The county official who read the ordinance also noted that certified mailings required by statute were included in the planning commission packet.
After discussion and an acknowledgment from the board that rescheduling earlier hearings caused notice confusion for some residents, the commissioners took a voice vote. The roll call recorded two affirmative votes and one negative vote; the presiding official announced, "The rezone passes, you guys can... The rezone passes 2 to 1." The board emphasized that the rezoning is only the first step and that additional public, technical and permitting processes remain.
What happens next: the developer must secure plat approval and satisfy public-safety, drainage and subdivision requirements at follow-up planning commission and permitting hearings. Residents were told those future meetings will be public and available for additional comment.
