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Council rejects rezoning for Palmer's proposed RV park after formal protest
Summary
After a formal protest petition and residents' objections citing floodplain, traffic and comprehensive-plan conflicts, Pryor Creek Council voted down a rezoning request that would have allowed an RV park on Highway 69.
The Pryor Creek City Council voted down a rezoning request on July 21 after neighbors filed a formal protest and councilors raised concerns about floodplain, traffic access and the city's comprehensive plan.
The request, brought by Derek Palmer, asked to change a tract from agricultural (AG) to commercial automotive/recreation (CAR) so he could build a small RV park with roughly 17–18 spaces along Highway 69. Palmer told the council he had discussed floodplain requirements with the floodplain administrator and had a surveyor working on the layout.
Tyler Stevens, representing adjacent property owner Tracy Bauer, told council a protest petition had been filed under city code and that it appeared to meet the legal threshold. Stevens said the petition, combined with neighborhood signatures, showed strong opposition and listed specific concerns: the site would be partly in the Prior Creek floodplain; it had only a single proposed entry from the highway; it was close to a school; it could permit long-term occupancy inconsistent with city ordinance; and it conflicted with the city's comprehensive plan. “For all of those reasons, my client requests that you deny this request,” Stevens said.
Several nearby residents spoke during public comment. One resident, Sean, said his family had lived in the area for decades and argued the change would harm long-term residents' property values and local character. Ryan Kelly said he supports measured business growth but was worried the rezoning could set a precedent that would allow mobile-home or trailer uses elsewhere.
City Attorney Chase advised the council on procedure: because a valid protest was filed the approval threshold rose to 75% of the full council. Councilors first voted that the protest was valid, then considered the rezoning on the merits. During discussion members focused on floodplain limitations and on whether city ordinances that limit occupancy of trailers would prevent long-term living on park spaces even if the rezoning passed.
After discussion the motion to approve the rezoning failed in the council vote, so the land will remain zoned AG. The mayor indicated council documents related to the protest and the petition signatures would be included in the minutes.
