Wednesday, May 29, 2002
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Wednesday, May 29, 2002 |
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'Green' zoning category gets red light from county By JOHN THOMPSON
Fayette County's first conservation subdivision will not be on Adams Road. More than 30 residents turned out Thursday night at the Fayette County Commission meeting to voice opposition to a plan by New Market properties to develop a 26-acre tract in the relatively new Conservation Subdivision zoning category. The category allows smaller lots, but preserves more greenspace. The land is currently zoned R-20, which calls for a two-acre minimum lot size. Project engineer Becky Morris said New Market could build 12 homes under the R-70 classification and would still build 12 homes under CS. The difference is the homes would be on one-acre lots and 11 acres of the property would be left as greenspace. But the residents wanted no part of smaller lots in their neighborhood. "I moved here because of low density. This would cause a reduction in property values," said Randy Stasni. Maureen Tompkins said she had environmental concerns, since the homes would be on smaller lots. By a narrow margin, the County Commission agreed with the residents. Commissioner A.G. VanLandingham said the zoning category was a good idea, but he could not support the rezoning for one major reason. "That property is a major groundwater recharge area," he said. But Commissioner Peter Pfeifer said he liked the idea of the conservation subdivision. "The impact is neutral and I support less land disturbance," he said. Commission Chairman Greg Dunn said he supported the idea that only half the land would be developed. "We need to develop the least amount of property and still respect property owners' rights. One acre lots wouldn't diminish property values," he said. VanLandingham, along with Commissioners Linda Wells and Herby Frady voted against the rezoning, while Pfeifer and Dunn supported it.
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