Wilcox’s Estates at Miller Farms rezoning and preliminary plan tabled; staff cites missing traffic study and infrastructure concerns

The commission voted to table zoning map amendment ZM25-0002 (EU to PRD) and preliminary development plan PDP25-0003 for a proposed 111.23-acre development at 5593 Hayes Road — the Estates at Miller Farms — after staff detailed multiple outstanding items staff and commissioners want resolved before a formal vote.

Staff told the commission the applicant’s submittal includes requested deviations from R-3 standards (reduced lot widths and setbacks, 60% maximum lot coverage in places, and reduced side-yard and front-yard setbacks) and said several practical and infrastructure concerns remain unaddressed. Key staff concerns included the absence of a traffic-impact study for Hayes Road and other nearby county roads; inconsistencies between the development text and the plan (for example, the plan shows multiple lot widths but the text lists only a 52-foot minimum); street-width callouts that vary from the subdivision code (27-foot face-to-face versus a 30-foot minimum), and potential water-service reliability issues because many proposed lots would be served from a single water main with limited redundancy.

Applicant Andrew Baucher of Wilcox Communities told the commission the proposal has been revised from earlier, larger plans (from about 347 units down to 282) and said Wilcox will provide the traffic study requested and work with staff to adjust development text and lot-size commitments. Baucher said the team is willing to revise the side-yard setback language (noting they can move from a submitted 5-foot standard to 6 feet to match nearby deviations) and to include the range of lot widths in the development text. Baucher also said he expects to coordinate utilities with the Miller Farms and Miller Farm East projects and that the applicant supports updating text and phasing plans with staff.

After discussion, Commissioner Gooden moved and the commission approved tabling both the rezoning and the preliminary plan so staff and the applicant can resolve the outstanding traffic, utility and text issues. Staff asked the applicant to return with a traffic study, clearer lot-size commitments in the development text, and details showing how water and roadway improvements will be phased and secured.