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Planning commission denies Melanie Lane preliminary plat after neighbors cite HCO, buffer and traffic concerns
Summary
Lancaster County planners voted 5–1 to deny the SD20260834 Melanie Lane preliminary plat after residents and commissioners raised unresolved highway‑corridor, buffer and traffic‑impact concerns and alleged prior tree‑preservation violations.
The Lancaster County Planning Commission on May 19 denied the preliminary plat for SD20260834, Melanie Lane — a proposed 9.74‑acre multi‑lot commercial development at Barbourville Road and Highway 160.
Chair (speaker 1) put a motion to approve on the floor for discussion, but after extended questioning from commissioners and a string of public comments alleging code violations and inadequate traffic analysis, the commission voted to deny the plat, citing failure to demonstrate compliance with Highway Corridor Overlay requirements (UDO 4.3.0.2) and Appendix B. The county attorney advised the board that a denial must specify ordinance sections and supporting evidence; the final roll‑call vote to deny passed 5–1.
Neighbors told the commission they had raised concerns repeatedly about grading, stormwater and missing signs; Janine Clifton, a neighbor, said the developer failed to negotiate with residents and warned that what is filed "is not what they're advertising," calling the proposal a "Trojan horse." Staff explained that the preliminary plat had undergone technical review committee (TRC) review and that detailed traffic impact and site‑plan reviews would follow if the plat advanced.
The applicant, Dan Beaulieu (speaker 11), said his team had followed county guidance and TRC direction and that various agencies (water and sewer, DOT, county engineer) had conditionally approved infrastructure items. He told the commissioners the development was "by‑right" under current zoning and that buffers and TIA matters would be addressed in later civil submissions.
The denial leaves the developer able to revise and resubmit, but commissioners instructed staff to record specific ordinance citations as the basis for denial and to document evidence in the public record.
