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Beluxy council approves RS10→RS5 rezoning for 2003 Lawrence amid traffic concerns; developer says homes will cost $250k–$300k
Summary
After extensive debate about traffic and drainage, the Beluxy City Council approved a zoning change to RS5 for property at 2003 Lawrence Street and discussed a related large subdivision. Developer Donovan Scrugs said the revised plan reduces previously proposed density to about 100 units, with likely home prices starting near $250,000.
The Beluxy City Council on May 19 approved a zoning map amendment changing a parcel at 2003 Lawrence Street from RS10 to RS5 after an extended discussion about infrastructure, traffic and neighborhood character.
The project drew lengthy scrutiny from council members and residents over projected traffic increases near two elementary schools and a nearby railroad crossing. Council members raised whether a traffic signal would be warranted and whether detention/engineering plans addressed inflows from neighboring properties.
Developer Donovan Scrugs, representing Elliot Land Development, told the council the proposal had been scaled back from earlier plans. “This is down to a 100 unit development,” he said in public comment; later in the meeting he stated, “I would say the minimum price on these is going to be 250 and then upwards of 300.”
Council debate focused on whether the city could condition a zoning change on a developer-funded traffic study. A motion to require a traffic study was proposed and then withdrawn after legal concerns were raised about contractual zoning. Several council members nonetheless directed staff to coordinate with the Gulf Regional Planning Commission to evaluate traffic and safety as the subdivision proceeds.
The council adopted the rezoning by a recorded vote (the clerk announced the motion carried 6–1, with Mr. Tisdale recorded in the dissent). Staff said the change would apply only to future projects and would not retroactively affect previously approved developments.
What happens next: project plans, storm-water calculations and subdivision plats will return for engineering review, planning commission review and potential DRC (development-review committee) approvals. Council members requested follow-up reports addressing traffic, drainage detention sizing and school safety if the developer returns with final plats.
Council members and staff emphasized that the rezoning alone does not authorize construction; the developer must follow standard subdivision and permitting processes before building begins.
