Commission rejects rezoning to neighborhood commercial at Schumacher Highway property

Carissa and Matthew Cotton sought neighborhood-commercial zoning for their house at 6108 Schumacher Highway so the location could operate long-term as a CPA office. The commission denied the rezoning after neighbors raised spot-zoning concerns and warned that allowing commercial zoning in the middle of residential parcels would set a precedent.

Carissa Cotton defended the request, saying she’s operated an office at the site for 10 years, serves about 80 local clients and uses two family-member employees who park behind the house. County staff and the county attorney clarified that home occupations are allowed under the Land Development Code and that state statute permits up to two non-family employees for a home business, but rezoning would change future property rights and potentially invite nonresidential uses. Neighbor Angela Crutchfield said, “once you allow commercial of any kind into this residential section…it’ll start the ball rolling for more commercial that will affect our quality of life.” After board discussion concerning proximity to existing commercial nodes, lack of a site plan and the weight of neighborhood character, the board recorded a denial of the rezoning request.