Wednesday, November 8, 2000

By DAVE HAMRICK
dhamrick@TheCitizenNews.com

Developer Dan Stinchcomb wants to divide 153 acres on Old Norton and Lester roads into one-acre lots, but the Fayette County Planning Commission suggests two-acre lots instead.

The group voted 4-1, with Fred Bowen opposed, to recommend that the County Commission change the property's zoning from A-R (agricultural-residential) to R-72, which allows minimum 2,100-sq. ft. homes on minimum two-acre lots.

The County Board of Commissioners will hear the request Dec. 14.

Stinchcomb is asking for R-50, which allows the same size house on one-acre lots. Andrea Jones of Dillard and Galloway attorneys, spoke for Stinchcomb, saying, "It is not economically viable to develop this property at two acres or five acres."

Homes in the proposed neighborhood would be in the $250,000 range, she said, adding, "The larger lot zoning is going to promote sprawl." Stinchcomb's plan is for 111 homes, said agent Randy Boyd.

Larry Jones, who has 14 acres across the road, argued that the zoning should be left as it is. "I think it would damage my property value to have a subdivision across the road," he said. "Or I'll be back before you gentlemen asking for zoning to do the same thing."

Otis Scogin, who lives next to Jones, pointed out that when he moved into the area he was required to have five acres before he could build a house.

But Planning Commission member Jim Graw said, "I don't think we can justify keeping it as five acres" because there are nearby subdivisions that are more densely populated.

There are higher density neighborhoods in the area, agreed Bowen, "but they're on sewers. You've got city and county," he said.

In other rezoning business, the Planning Commission:

Voted 4-1 with Bowen opposed to recommend approval of Ronald Fincher's request to change the zoning of 2.66 acres on Davis Road from A-R to R-70 (minimum 1,500-sq. ft. homes on two acres). Fincher said he wants to build a home for his daughter.

Neighbor Edwin Carruth spoke in favor of Finch's request. "I believe this nice home will bring credit to our community," he said. But another neighbor, Ralph Justice, was opposed. "We bought with the understanding it was zoned A-R, and we'd like to keep it that way," he said.

"If we can't help a man build a house for his daughter on 2.66 acres, I'm disturbed... I'm very disturbed," said commission member Al Gilbert.

Unanimously recommended approval of Bob Lee's request to change the zoning of 18.83 acres on Rivers Road from R-45 (one-acre lots) to R-70 (two-acre lots). Derek McClinton said he wants to buy the land and combine it with a tract next door for a total of 125 acres. He will build 10 homes on the land, including one for himself and one for his parents, with lot sizes ranging from five to 25 acres, he said.

"I want to commend this gentleman," said Jim Graw, "for taking a very, very difficult piece of property and doing something nice with it."

Commission member Bill Beckwith abstained, saying he has a business relationship with the property's owner, bob Lee.

Unanimously recommended approval of another rezoning from R-45 to R-70 on Rivers Road. The request covers 5.38 acres and is a "housekeeping" item. The property is part of a larger tract, and the rest of the land is already zoned R-70.

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