Commission holds Presswick senior housing rezoning after neighbors raise height, access concerns

Parks Huff, representing Presswick Companies, told the commission the Z‑13 proposal was revised to reduce the visible building height on the residential side and to eliminate an access onto Hickory Grove Place. Huff said the site uses a "3/2 split" so the development appears three stories toward the commercial frontage and two stories facing existing homes, and that the project offers sidewalks and landscaping along the frontage.

Commissioner Bloemm and other commissioners questioned the applicant about access, easements and whether the reduced height would be sufficient to address neighborhood concerns. Resident Jay Stevenson spoke partly in opposition, saying a three‑story building along Hickory Grove Road "would be the only 3 story building along that whole road" and warned it could set a precedent for taller development along the roughly nine‑mile corridor. The applicant said the fire department had required adjustments to access and that the team had worked with neighbors to revise the site plan.

After discussion about remaining issues and recent plan revisions, the commission voted to hold the case for 30 days so staff, the applicant and the neighborhood could meet again and provide updated elevations and plan details. The transcript records the motion to hold and statements about the vote; commissioners indicated they wanted a further neighborhood meeting and clarified that the applicant had submitted a revised plan the prior week. No final rezoning decision was made at the hearing; the matter will return to the commission after the requested follow‑up.