Commission rezones Creekside Reserve parcel despite resident concerns over creek and bridge drainage

Planning staff presented a rezoning request for about 5.058 acres at the entrance to the Creekside Reserve development, explaining the commercial parcel is consistent with the future land-use plan. The commission opened a public hearing; resident Doug Stokes of 304 Liska Road urged caution, saying the parcel and adjacent areas flood and asking that drainage and the Liska Road bridge be addressed as part of any approval.

Stokes told the commission: “That’s my concern… Cummins Creek that runs through there is taken out my bridge on Liska Road… I was the one that I've approved the thing, as long as they will do something with this drainage situation, because I don't want to get flooded in my house.” Planning staff and commissioners acknowledged the concern and said engineers are evaluating the bridge and drainage; commissioners approved the ordinance to rezone the parcel from Agriculture A to Neighborhood Commercial C by voice vote, while reiterating that drainage and bridge engineering would be part of subsequent plan review and project engineering.

The commission approved related residential rezoning (R7) on the same larger tract later in the meeting. The commission’s action changed the zoning classification; any detailed grading, drainage studies and infrastructure work will occur in subsequent planning and permitting steps.