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After heated debate, Newberry approves Newberry Ridge land‑use change 3–2
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Summary
The commission approved a large‑scale comprehensive plan amendment to change roughly 225 acres from mixed‑use to medium‑density residential (vote 3–2). Commissioners debated whether to require lower density to limit multifamily units; the applicant said it expects to develop at roughly 5.5 units per acre and proposed a 10‑year phasing plan.
The City of Newberry approved a large‑scale future land use map amendment for the Newberry Ridge property on a 3–2 roll‑call vote at the April 27 meeting.
Staff and the applicant presented the change requested for approximately 225.29 acres: from mixed‑use to residential medium density (up to eight dwelling units per acre). Julie Kendrick, representing the applicant, said the development team plans to use a planned residential development process and does not intend to build to the maximum density. “My recollection is we're actually only asking for 5.5 units to the acre,” Kendrick told the commission, and the rezoning stage will include design features and phased development the applicant said will reduce peak density and increase setbacks and open space.
Commissioners expressed divergent views. Commissioner Coleman questioned why the commission could not require low density (four units per acre) and urged that multifamily be limited; Commissioner Farnsworth said he preferred lower density as well. City staff and the applicant said negotiating site plan conditions and phasing would be the appropriate venue for detailed mitigation, and that removing commercial uses from the master plan had already been agreed to by the developer. After deliberation the commission approved the future land use amendment on a 3–2 vote; the matter will return later in the process for rezoning and site plan review.
The applicant’s representative said the rezoning plan currently under review would include about 850 single‑family lots and 400 multifamily units (1,250 units total) in phased buildout and that the overall maximum under the requested designation would be about 1,802 units at eight units per acre; the applicant indicated they do not plan to reach the theoretical maximum.
