Applicant withdraws Old Cutler Road small-scale FLUM amendment and rezoning after council raises spot-zoning concerns

An applicant for a small-scale comprehensive-plan amendment and a zoning change for 20150 and 20160 Old Cutler Road withdrew both applications during the Feb. 18 council meeting after council members expressed concerns about spot zoning and compatibility with the Old Cutler Road master plan.

Simon Ferrum, attorney for FJAM Investments LLC, had asked for a 30-day deferral but, after council discussion and multiple members saying they preferred one consolidated redevelopment rather than piecemeal changes, told the council he would withdraw both the FLUM amendment and the rezoning.

The applicant argued the change would be a downzoning to make the narrow, irregular lots buildable for duplex units similar to adjacent parcels and that mixed-use requirements and site geometry made compliance impractical. Architect Edmundo Aldre explained parking and turning-radius constraints that, in his view, would make a ground-floor commercial/mixed-use design infeasible on the narrow lots.

Council members pressed on procedural and policy concerns. Several members, including Council member Lort and Council member Dunphy, warned that approving the request would set a precedent that could allow future owners to seek similar spot changes along Old Cutler Road; Council member Lort emphasized the town’s 2003 charrette vision for the corridor and said piecemeal re‑zoning would undermine that long-range strategy.

With the withdrawal, staff will take no action on these two applications; the applicant may return with a revised approach if it chooses.