The Planning Commission heard an updated presentation on a proposed subdivision on Pivot Rock Rd. Jay Gustin had first spoken to the commission in August and has worked since to develop a complete plan showing the road and utilities.
Gustin said that engineers are still working on the placement of utilities, but he expects to have a completed plan in time for the December meeting. He showed commissioners changes he had made to the road, including minor changes in the route and an improved intersection with Pivot Rock Rd. Gustin also has changed the end of the road, taking advantage of terrain to lay out a “modified hammer-head.” Fire officials have not yet approved that turnaround, but Gustin hopes it will serve as an alternative to a circular turnaround, which would take up more space. He will request a variance for that design.
The project still lacks covenants and building restrictions, and Gustin said he is checking the real estate market before proceeding. “We don’t want to have unnecessary restrictions,” he said, “but we want to preserve the integrity of the property.”
The preliminary plans would have required connecting a sewer line across property owned by Clear Spring School. Gustin approached them about purchasing an easement or buying the property outright. The school agreed to sell three acres on a ridge, and the additional property will increase the total number of lots from 15 to 21.
After Gustin’s original appearance, commissioners Tom Buford, Fergie Stewart and LauraJo Smole walked through the property and plan to arrange a time for another walk-through to see the changes firsthand.
Gustin said he hopes to begin construction in the spring. He said he has wrestled with a variety of names for the project but spoke recently to someone who remembered that area was once called Pine Crest, so he plans to use that name for the subdivision.
Re-zoning gets the nod
At the outset of the meeting, sitting as the Board of Zoning Adjustment, commissioners held a public hearing for a requested zoning change for Logan Reding at 187 Huntsville Rd. No one spoke in opposition to proposed change from R-2 to C-2.
Damon Henke of Ozark Mountain Vacation Rentals represented Reding at the meeting. He explained that they assumed the property was zoned commercial because of its location, until Building Inspector Bobby Ray brought the zoning to their attention. Henke described the site as an island surrounded by commercial zoning. He said they could have asked for a Conditional Use Permit but thought the city would take this opportunity to consolidate the zoning.
The property will have one vacation rental, and Henke said the owner has no plans for more units. In response to a question, Henke said the owner has been working to clean up the property and has already removed an old shed. He expects a decrepit building near the front of the property to be removed, also.
Smole said, “We shouldn’t have a one-lot island,” and other commissioners agreed. The re-zoning request will now go to city council.
Holiday schedules getting modified
Commissioners postponed several topics they have pursued in recent months, including a revised tree ordinance and an ordinance to restrict fundraiser car washes to the site of a commercial car wash. All agreed on a clarified definition of on-site managers for bed & breakfast operations but agreed to wait until the new year to refer their proposal to city council.
This meeting was originally scheduled for Nov. 26 and was moved to avoid a conflict with Thanksgiving. The fourth Wednesday of December would fall on Christmas, ao that meeting has moved to Dec. 11.