Timberleaf homeowners urge council to reject higher‑density rezoning over stormwater worries; council approves substitute bill

Residents of the Estates of Timberleaf and developers appeared during public comment on Bill 5482, a rezoning application to change property from R1A (one‑acre lots) to R1D (smaller single‑family lots) to permit a higher density development.

Don T‑ire, president of the Timberleaf homeowners association, told the council the subdivision’s drainage ultimately flows into a single detention pond that was not designed to accept runoff from additional development and warned higher density could increase overflow risk to homes below the pond. "Our opposition...is based upon essentially water," he said, explaining the current basin "fills up pretty much to the top on a heavy rain."

Sher Hickeyi, HOA board member, said the developer’s proposed detention pond would sit higher than adjacent homes and that the homeowners had not been provided examples of similar high‑pond designs that worked without causing downstream flooding. She said the HOA would prefer the property remain at one‑acre lots.

Jeff Taylor, representing the developer McKelby Homes, said he was available to answer questions; the council noted that the rezoning vote before it changes zoning only and does not approve a site plan. Several council members reminded speakers that stormwater calculations and engineering are reviewed through staff and permitting processes after rezoning, not at the zoning vote.

Council accepted a substitute and recorded unanimous 'yes' votes on final passage of Bill 5482. The council and staff said stormwater, detention pond design and site‑specific engineering will be handled in subsequent permitting and site‑plan review by community development staff.

Next steps: staff will carry out technical reviews during the site‑plan and permitting process for the rezoned property; homeowners may submit engineering questions or requests during that process.