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Council approves Bankhead parcels rezoning to 0.5-acre lots after public hearing
Summary
After a public hearing and planning-commission recommendation, the council voted to amend the general plan and rezone Bankhead parcels from ROS 1 (1-acre) to ROS 0.5 (0.5-acre), reducing the maximum buildable units from an earlier RSF proposal and preserving canal corridors.
The Wellsville City Council approved a request to amend the general plan and rezone two Bankhead parcels from ROS 1 (residential open space, 1-acre lots) to ROS 0.5 (residential open space, 0.5-acre lots).
Planner Mary Anne summarized the staff report, describing how ROS 1 would allow about 43 homes while ROS 0.5 corresponds to roughly 90 homes and RSF (a previously considered designation) would have allowed about 142 homes. Mary Anne told the council the planning commission recommended approval of ROS 0.5 and recommended preservation of the canal systems adjacent to and through the subject lots. "The rezoning from ROS 1 to ROS 0.5 provides a way to adjust growth in the community," Mary Anne said in her staff summary.
During the public hearing, residents asked about traffic, viewshed preservation, agricultural land protection, and when subdivision plans would be filed. Chelsea Dattage, who said she supports property owners' rights, asked whether the wellland had been purchased; the chair answered, "Wellsville City owns that piece of property." Diane Roundy pointed to a workshop projection that the area may add 1,147 homes over 10 years and asked where new housing would be located; Clay Isom pressed for the planning commission's written findings to ensure consistency with the general plan and highlighted concerns about preserving foothill vistas and agricultural acreage.
Council members described the ROS 0.5 recommendation as a compromise and a transition zone between existing lot sizes. A motion to approve the rezone was made and seconded; the council approved the motion by voice vote. The council did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript. The council noted that specific subdivision layouts, road access and open-space details would be addressed later when a developer submits a subdivision plan and that design review would be required for developments in ROS 0.5.
Next steps: The change to ROS 0.5 was approved during the meeting; any future subdivision proposals on the Bankhead parcels will return to planning and the council for review and public input.
