Board denies 27‑acre rezoning for 206 townhomes after residents cite traffic, farm and infrastructure concerns

Chairman Brown and the Board of Supervisors voted to deny rezoning case RZ250005 after an extended public input period and staff briefings. Planning staff characterized the application as a conditional rezoning of about 27.11 acres to permit up to 206 townhouse units; the Planning Commission had recommended denial by a 5–1 vote because it found the request inconsistent with the county comprehensive plan.

Residents who own and farm adjacent parcels urged the board to reject the request, citing likely nuisance complaints, increased stormwater runoff, and safety issues at an already‑dangerous intersection. Diane Hanslick, who said her mother farms a nearby property, told the board that "townhouse residents are probably unfamiliar to the dust, the noise, the smell of normal farming" and warned of health and liability consequences. Other speakers questioned the projected traffic counts and whether the county's water, sewer and school systems could absorb the additional demand.

Applicant representatives and staff said the development would include proffers for public sewer and water, minimum unit sizes and parking, and argued townhomes generate less traffic per housing unit than single‑family subdivisions. Will Shumack, the applicant's attorney, said the plan "meets the intent" of the forthcoming comprehensive plan by placing housing near employment areas and noted several proffers including a per‑unit cash contribution and a phasing schedule for certificates of occupancy.

Despite the applicant's presentation and proffered mitigations, a motion to deny the rezoning carried on roll call. The denial preserves the Planning Commission's determination that the proposal was inconsistent with the existing comprehensive plan.