Developers and neighbors clash at Denton hearing over rezoning for Linda’s Retirement LLC; petitions and roll-call votes block changes

The Board of Trustees held a public hearing beginning at 7:29 p.m. on April 7 over multiple rezoning requests submitted by Linda’s Retirement LLC for parcels totaling roughly 2.398, 4.917 and 2.652 acres (legal descriptions on file at the clerk’s office). Developer William Jefferies presented rendering drawings to visualize the proposed development and said the existing lagoon on one parcel is operational.

Members of the public spoke in favor of rezoning, saying it would allow the church more space and promote growth; others opposed the changes citing concerns about density, potential tax effects on neighbors, impacts to agricultural use, and safety for children walking to bus stops. The record shows a petition signed by more than 20% of owners within 300 feet protesting the TA→R-1 and TA→R-2 changes. Village attorney Freeman-Cady told the board that the written protest triggers the requirement for a super-majority vote for certain rezoning approvals.

The board took separate roll-call votes on the parcel changes. The minutes record that motions to change two parcels from TA to R-1 and to change one parcel from TA to R-2 were both defeated. The recorded roll calls for those motions list AYE: Chair Joe Hobelman; NAY: Ryan Osborn, Trent Wheatley and Amanda Fangmeier (the transcript duplicates Osborn in one roll call entry). The minutes show the public hearing closed at 8:28 p.m.