Commission recommends rezone of Reserve property to single‑family R‑2.5 amid resident concerns about groundwater and trees

Planning staff presented a legislative rezone request to change two split‑zoned parcels, totaling about 12.94 acres, to single‑family R‑2.5 (2.5 units per acre). Staff said the applicant’s concept shows up to 32 lots (minimum 12,000 square feet each) and noted that the concept plan is illustrative; a preliminary subdivision and engineering review would follow any rezone and would firm up lot sizes, street widths, stormwater design and easements.

Several nearby residents spoke during public comment with recurring concerns. Camber Kaiser said she feared the land could later be converted to commercial uses and asked how the city would ensure the area remained residential. Miguel and the city attorney explained that rezoning to R‑2.5 makes commercial reuse unlikely: a rezone back to commercial would require a public land‑use amendment and city‑council approval, and permitted uses in R‑2.5 are primarily residential with limited institutional uses.

Dion Smith and other neighbors raised groundwater concerns, saying prior local digging appeared to have changed groundwater flows and caused water intrusion into basements. Engineering staff said a geotechnical report (bore pits and subsurface logs) will be required at the preliminary subdivision stage; recommendations may include foundation drains or other mitigations. The applicant (Eric Raelenspacher, Block Homes) said five piezometers are installed to monitor groundwater weekly and that the project team will provide geotechnical data during site‑plan and subdivision review.

Other commenters asked about large trees that have provided privacy and whether lot sizes could be larger. Staff said there is no maximum lot size and the rezone would allow flexibility — developers could choose fewer larger lots (for example, larger lots rather than 32 minimum parcels), but the current concept shows the maximum permitted density for the requested zoning. The applicant said they would coordinate with adjacent landowners regarding tree impacts and planned to delay major earthwork until after the farming season and required approvals.

A commissioner moved that the planning commission recommend City Council approve ordinance 2026‑05‑Z to rezone the property from agricultural A‑5 to single‑family residential R‑2.5. The commission voted unanimously to forward a positive recommendation; City Council is scheduled to hear the ordinance on May 19.