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Council weighs Gates family annexation petition for 72-acre Zincer Road parcel
Summary
Council discussed a petition to annex 72 acres on Zincer Road (tax map 005496-01-031). Planning Commission recommended denial because the town's future land use map designates the area as employment/light industrial; staff and council encouraged the applicant to consider a PUD that would push commercial uses to the road and place residential uses behind a buffer.
Staff briefed council that the Gates family has petitioned to annex approximately 72 acres on Zincer Road and to have it zoned protected residential. The town's future land use map currently designates the parcel as an employment/light industrial node intended for office, maker and light industrial uses. At its May 20 meeting, the Planning Commission recommended denial of the annexation request because the proposed protected-residential zoning conflicts with the comprehensive land use plan.
Legal counsel and planning staff told council that annexation is not required to be acted on immediately. If council takes a vote to deny the annexation after it reaches the agenda, the applicant would have to wait one year to reapply; staff advised that continued negotiation and submission of a PUD (planned unit development) would be a route to provide a transitional mix of uses.
Council members cited concerns about nearby 24/7 industrial operationsincluding truck activity and an International Paper plantand raised questions about traffic, wetlands, buffers around Gibson Pond Park, and the scale of utility and road improvements that could be required. Staff said traffic mitigation and specific infrastructure requirements would be assessed when a detailed site plan is submitted; typically the town does not annex without a plan.
Council generally directed staff to continue working with the applicant and to encourage consideration of a PUD or withdrawal until a full development plan could be submitted. No formal annexation vote was taken at the work session; council members asked staff to provide the planning commission materials and to notify council when the applicant is ready to proceed so members can review prior Planning Commission discussion before any formal vote.
