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Ellsworth council tables rezoning for Cameron Addition after wide public debate
Summary
After hours of public comment from developers and neighbors, Ellsworth City Council voted to table a rezoning request for Lots 1–6 and 8–10 in the Cameron Addition to the Feb. 23 meeting to allow a full council to consider the issue and outstanding concerns.
Ellsworth City Council on Monday tabled a rezoning request that would allow duplex construction on Lots 1–6 and 8–10 in the Cameron Addition, after residents and developers offered competing views on neighborhood character and housing needs.
Developer and property owner David Pyle (speaker 7) told the council the application meets all city requirements, cited a unanimous planning commission recommendation and said the project represents "well over $1,000,000" in private investment to add housing. "Approving this result is a logical necessary step to fulfill a prior commitment and bring those housing units into reality," Pyle said. Kevin Colley of Ellsworth County economic development (speaker 8) added that duplexes would modestly increase density while helping workforce recruitment.
Several residents urged the council to protect the single-family character of the Cameron Addition. Terry Parks (speaker 12) said private covenants and long-standing neighborhood expectations matter and warned that rezoning "could be ripped away" and drive some homeowners to leave. "We are families. We are homeowners," he said, asking council to weigh the human impact.
Council members discussed legal and procedural considerations, including a protest filed before the planning commission that raises the threshold to four affirmative votes for approval. Several councillors said they wanted a full council present before acting; Council member Moon (speaker 6) moved to table the matter to the Feb. 23 meeting and the motion passed by voice vote.
The council packet included submitted plans and a copy of the 1977 covenants (cited by proponents as allowing duplexes); staff and council noted that covenants are private documents and not city zoning rules. The council also discussed the city's comprehensive plans and housing needs but did not make a substantive decision on rezoning at this meeting.
The rezoning will appear as unfinished business on the Feb. 23 agenda; the planning commission's recommendation, public comment materials distributed at tonight's meeting and the protest already on file will remain part of the record.
