Commission denies rezoning for 10 townhomes in North Forest Hills amid flood and compatibility concerns

The Board of County Commissioners voted to deny a rezoning petition (PD 21‑383) that would have allowed a 10‑unit townhome development on a parcel in the North Forest Hills area.

Residents from the neighborhood presented extensive testimony describing chronic flooding, standing water on the parcel and nearby streets, septic systems that are already stressed, and concerns about increased impervious surface and runoff. Susan Dennis, a neighboring homeowner, told the board the area regularly experiences standing water on the adjoining road and asked commissioners to uphold existing residential zoning. Eric Flasterstein and other long‑term residents emphasized repeated flood events and the risk that a multiunit project would exacerbate drainage problems.

Planning staff noted the site contains uplands and wetlands and explained the County’s density‑credit rules: with more than 25% wetlands, an environmentally sensitive‑land density credit applies; staff concluded the proposed 10 units were within the maximum density allowable under the policy calculations but emphasized compatibility and design standards. After discussion, Commissioner Wilson moved to deny the rezoning for incompatibility with existing low‑density residential character and flooding concerns; the motion carried 7-0.

Why it matters: Neighbors argued the parcel’s hydrology and existing stormwater and septic constraints make higher‑density development inappropriate. Commissioners cited neighborhood compatibility policies in the comprehensive plan as a basis for denial.

Next steps: The denial preserves the current zoning and any refiled application would need to address community stormwater and compatibility issues and go through the county’s rezoning process.