Planning commission recommends rezoning of 28‑acre Perry parcel to R‑1 third, forwards to City Council

The Perry City Planning Commission on Jan. 15 voted to recommend that the City Council approve rezoning a roughly 28‑acre parcel from agricultural to R‑1 third, a decision the commission made after hearing public comment and a developer presentation.

The motion to recommend the R‑1 third zoning passed on a roll‑call vote: Commissioner Broadhead — Yes; Commissioner Thompson — No; Commissioner Moser — Yes; Commissioner Vaughn — Yes; Commissioner Kerr — Yes; Chair — Yes (motion carried). Staff said the item is expected on the City Council agenda on Feb. 12.

Developer Brett Jones, representing the applicant, told the commission the project arose after an earlier conservation‑subdivision proposal ran into problems, chiefly a lack of an acceptable secondary access road. Jones said the current plan would build the first phase of roughly 30 lots served by the existing primary access and that the developer seeks R‑1 third zoning to provide an "attainable housing product" for people who want to buy in Perry. "Our goal with this is to really make this so that it's an attainable housing product for homebuyers that can buy here in Perry," Jones said.

An adjacent landowner, Boyd Young, objected to smaller lots and urged the commission to prefer half‑acre lots, saying the property has been in his family since the 1850s and that he wants larger, "nicer" lots rather than minimum‑size parcels. Staff also read a written comment from Jeff Phillips, an adjacent property owner, stating he supports approval.

Planning staff (Bob) briefed the commission on relevant code and the general‑plan intent. Staff read City code Section 15.07.80 and explained that the code ties increased residential density to public parks and open space and states the planning expectation that R‑1 half is the highest density the council should normally approve, with exceptions available at council discretion. Staff and commissioners discussed whether the commission should strictly follow that policy path or recommend an exception to allow R‑1 third for this parcel.

Commissioners asked technical questions about wetlands, groundwater and phasing. Staff noted the applicant supplied an engineer's letter saying there are likely no jurisdictional Army Corps wetlands except possibly in a corner by the creek, and earlier geotechnical work showed groundwater levels between about 4 and 7 feet in places; staff said fuller geotechnical and wetland delineations would come at subdivision stage.

The commission’s recommendation to council is advisory; final zoning approval rests with the City Council. The council hearing is expected Feb. 12, at which time council will consider testimony, code constraints and any recommended exceptions.