Council tables Buffalo Gap townhome rezoning to allow plan‑development option

The City Council voted to table zoning case 2026‑21, a request to change roughly 0.5 acre at 3035 Buffalo Gap Road to a townhome district, after neighbors and council members raised concerns about neighborhood compatibility and the potential number of units.

Jan Craig and other neighbors called the proposal effectively "spot zoning" and warned it would create a small island of townhomes inconsistent with the surrounding single‑family block; the proponent's representative said the intent was to model the project on two‑story townhomes on Pine Street but that the current plan contemplates four detached, narrow units. Owner Nathan Hathorn clarified the existing house would be remodeled and that the plan was to build four high‑quality houses, likely sell some and retain others. Council discussed worst‑case unit counts (Tim Littlejohn estimated up to six or seven typical townhome units could fit under the zoning) and whether a plan development (PD) could limit maximum units and address neighborhood concerns. Councilmember motioned to table to allow staff and the proponent to explore a PD; the motion carried with an abstention recorded for one member.

Tabling preserves the applicant's right to revise the proposal and gives staff and proponents time to craft a PD that can specify unit counts, setbacks and other conditions that address neighbors' concerns. The proponent and staff indicated they are willing to discuss a PD that limits density and clarifies buffering and access.