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Council hears neighborhood opposition and developer comments at Windmill Drive rezoning first reading
Summary
At a first reading, Ocean View council considered a rezoning request for a 24,916‑sq‑ft Windmill Drive parcel owned by SMC Enterprises LLC. Neighbors objected to potential three‑story buildings; planning staff noted setbacks and height limits and said screening could be required if rezoned.
Ocean View — The Town Council heard public comment and held the first reading on an ordinance to rezone a parcel owned by SMC Enterprises LLC from R‑1 (single‑family) to R‑2 (one‑ and two‑family). The parcel, identified in town records as tax parcel 134‑12‑386‑00‑386‑0032451 and described in staff materials as about 24,916 square feet, fronts Windmill Drive.
Planning staff reviewed the town’s record from a Nov. 17, 2025 planning and zoning commission meeting and told council the current R‑1 zoning supports one single‑family dwelling while an R‑2 designation could allow up to two units (two single‑family or one duplex). The planning director said rear‑yard setbacks would remain 30 feet, side yards would be reduced from 15 feet to 10 feet under R‑2, front yards would stay at 25 feet, and the maximum height in both zones is 42 feet (three stories). Staff said the town code does not require screening between residential properties but that screening could be added as a condition if council chooses to rezone the parcel.
Developer Sean Cummings said the property is roughly the size of five typical lots and that he intends to deliver “a quality product.” He told council he might sell some units and keep one as a rental but emphasized he grew up locally and wants to improve property values. “I love this area,” Cummings said.
Several nearby residents urged the council to keep the parcel at R‑1. Anna Oberstee, who said her home in Bishop’s Landing backs the parcel, told council she was worried a near‑three‑story building “will loom across our horizon” and would not match the one‑story character of her street. Other residents raised concerns about water runoff, impacts on storm infrastructure and the visual scale of taller units.
Council closed the public‑hearing portion for this first reading and scheduled a second reading and another public hearing at the next meeting. The planning and zoning commission’s prior vote on the application was recorded as failing by a 3–2 margin; council did not make a final decision at this meeting.
What’s next: The council will hold a second reading in a future meeting when it will again accept public comment and may vote on the ordinance.
