Council overrules planning commission, approves 20.85-acre development at Westbrook and Union

Clayton City Council on June 4 voted to overrule the planning commission's recommendation and approve Ordinance OPC2602, a final development plan submitted by DDC Management LLC for a 20.85-acre parcel at the northwest corner of Westbrook and Union Roads.

Mayor Ryan Farmer opened the agenda item and the council first voted to declare the ordinance an emergency. After a short discussion, Mr. Gorman moved to approve the ordinance and Miss Kelly seconded. During discussion, a developer representative described the upfront costs developers typically face, saying preliminary engineering and survey work can run "hundreds of thousands of dollars" and estimating that final construction drawings can cost "in the ballpark of what it probably costs for your final engineering drawings" at about "$3,000 give or take per lot."

Council debate focused on the planning process and the costs developers incur before formal submission; no detailed amendments to the plan were introduced on the floor. Following the discussion one council member voiced opposition while the motion passed. The ordinance was enacted as an emergency, allowing immediate effect.

The council record shows the measure passed after roll-call and voice votes; the council also handled a related vote to make the ordinance an emergency earlier in the same sequence.

Next steps: the development moves forward consistent with the approved final development plan and any conditions set by the planning department; the city will coordinate permit and engineering reviews as the developer advances to construction-stage approvals.