Applicant seeks R1A zoning to ease sale and allow modest agricultural uses; commission backs request

Property owners seeking the R1A residential‑agricultural designation told the Planning Commission the change would make their property more salable and allow modest agricultural uses such as horses and goats. Applicant Robert Hinchey said he and his wife are "ready to downsize" and that their realtor had told them R1A zoning would improve marketability. "Our realtor tells us that if we had the R1A zoning, we would better be able to sell it," he said.

Neighbors at the hearing expressed a mix of concerns—some wanted more information up front about likely outcomes, others urged preservation of agricultural character. Staff explained that R1A would permit limited livestock based on lot square footage and that the property contains split zoning that technically constrained some agricultural uses today. After discussion, commissioners moved to recommend approval to City Council; the motion passed on roll call.