Residents urge limits on Riverby connection as commission approves Kingsbury Farms rezoning

The Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a rezoning request for roughly 83.418 acres known as Kingsbury Farms (PUD 25‑10), which lies between Pollock Road and Berlin Station Road and is located in the Southeast Focus Area plan.

Planning staff told commissioners the applicant's concept shows primarily single‑family homes with a maximum of 4 dwelling units per acre and required tree‑preservation and buffer areas adjacent to existing neighborhoods. "This request complies with the Southeast focus area plan, so staff is supportive of the request with all of the conditions that are outlined in the staff report," the staff presenter said.

Residents of the nearby Riverby neighborhood and adjacent streets gave extended comment, warning that allowing a through‑connection to Riverby Lane would put narrow, privately owned streets at risk from cut‑through and construction traffic. "I don't think it's an option to expect the property owners in Riverby to give up a chunk of our property," said Natalie Pinero, a Riverby Lane resident, urging alternate access and stronger buffers.

Staff and applicants discussed mitigation: emergency‑only access, traffic calming measures, delaying physical opening until construction is complete, and routing construction traffic from the east to avoid neighborhood streets. Staff also said an 11‑foot asphalt path is required along the abandoned railroad right‑of‑way to create a green connection to Hickory Woods Preservation Park and that a TIS is underway to identify required off‑site improvements.

Commissioner Prowl moved to approve the map amendment with staff recommendations; the motion passed on roll call. Staff noted the case will be heard at City Council on August 25 and encouraged residents to engage again at the development‑plan stage when lot sizes, road widths and buffers are finalized.