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Neighbors press council to uphold planning commission's denial of rezoning at 598 Dunlop Drive
Summary
A controversial rezoning request for 598 Dunlop Drive (proposed R2/R3) drew a negative planning commission recommendation and neighborhood opposition; council introduced the ordinance for first reading and scheduled the required public hearing for the second meeting to meet state advertising rules ahead of an upcoming moratorium.
Matt Mosley, a city planning staff member, briefed the council on related proposals in the White Road/Dunlop Drive area, including a new rezoning request (598 Dunlop Drive, 21.11 acres) that would rezone property along White Road from R1 to a mix of R2 and R3 and extend Dunlop Drive into the proposed subdivision.
"R2 is kind of a lower density…about a third of an acre," Mosley said, and described R3 lots as roughly a quarter acre. He told council the planning department had recommended a positive recommendation to the planning commission, but the planning commission issued a negative recommendation, finding the rezoning "not in character with the surrounding area," and returned a negative recommendation after what he described as a 4–3 vote with one abstention.
Residents urged council to respect the planning commission's finding. Carolyn Reid (520 White Road) told council the White Road corridor "functions as a low-density residential area with large lot single family homes" and asked council to "consider upholding the planning commission's recommendation." Buddy Bruce (505 White Road) said his family owns much property along White Road and requested lower density on the lots adjoining White Road; he noted the applicant reduced the planned lot count from 12 to eight.
Mosley explained the timeline adjustments staff made so the public-hearing requirements and state advertising windows would be met before an anticipated moratorium: by moving the formal public hearing to the second meeting, staff can advertise for the required period while allowing an initial council review at the first reading. He also said that if council denies the rezoning, city zoning rules generally require applicants to wait one year before reapplying.
The council introduced the ordinance for first reading tonight; the public hearing and second reading are scheduled for the next meeting so the required state advertising and moratorium timing are satisfied. No final council vote on rezoning occurred at this meeting.
