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Developer, staff and councilors debate 98 Jennings Road rezoning; committee advances map amendment to council with development‑agreement conditions
Summary
The committee voted to send a proposed Hamlet place‑type overlay rezoning for 98 Jennings Road in Burton to county council after staff and developer described walkable mixed‑use plans and a Traffic Impact Analysis; staff requested development‑agreement assurances on affordable units and that standards not be altered, while planning commission recommended denial.
The Natural Resources/Green Space Advisory Committee voted to advance a proposed zoning map amendment and associated place‑type overlay application for 98 Jennings Road in the Burton area to county council after extended staff presentation and developer remarks.
Rob Merchant (speaker 15), county planning staff, explained that the 86.56‑acre site sits across from Battery Creek High School and that the applicant is using the Hamlet place‑type overlay to propose a mix of T4 Hamlet Center along Jennings Road and T3 Hamlet Neighborhood interior parcels. He said the applicant’s current submittal anticipates townhomes, smaller‑lot single‑family units and a mix intended to support walkability; staff recommended approval conditioned on a development agreement that secures affordable/workforce housing commitments and does not alter district standards.
Transportation planner Kevin Sullivan (speaker 18) said the Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) had been prepared and was the final draft for review; he noted service‑level concerns at several intersections and recommended mitigation and cost‑sharing considerations tied to other projects in the area.
Members noted the planning commission had recommended denial, citing several review standards not met. Committee members pressed staff and the developer on housing counts, school capacity and the specific affordable‑housing commitments. County School District representative Carol Crutchfield (speaker 10) said Battery Creek High School is currently below capacity and Broad River Elementary is within target ranges but also said the district had not yet been approached in detail by the developer.
Rob Merrick (speaker 19), representing Pulte Homes, said the rezoning request aligns with the county comprehensive plan and argued it addresses a community need for workforce and “missing middle” housing. “This rezoning request embraces that vision,” Merrick said, and he asked the committee to move the application forward in coordination with a development agreement to preserve standards and secure affordable units.
A committee motion to recommend the rezoning to county council carried; the committee added a condition that any development agreement not alter district standards and that an adequate number of affordable units be included. The matter will proceed to first reading at county council for decision.
