Residents push back as Clinton County approves rezoning for Scott and Wildcat parcel

The Clinton County Board of Commissioners voted 6–0 to approve a rezoning petition that changes a 47‑acre parcel at Scott and Wildcat Roads from single‑family (R‑1) to multifamily (MF) zoning.

Residents attending the meeting gave detailed testimony opposing the change. Connie Skorna, a nearby property owner, urged commissioners to demand evidence before a rezoning: “A 5 to 1 vote does not turn an unsupported conclusion into evidence,” she said, noting a lack of site‑specific traffic, drainage and property‑value studies. Multiple speakers said the developer had not met with neighbors as requested at earlier hearings and urged the board to keep the parcel single‑family or consider a lower‑density R‑2 option.

Miles Robler, the county’s interim zoning administrator, summarized the planning commission’s work and said the planning commission had found the ordinance criteria met, with a recommendation to approve (5–1, 1 absent). Legal counsel Mallory Reeder recapped the seven statutory findings the planning commission applied and noted that a motion at the planning commission to request additional property‑value analysis had failed.

Board members debated whether rezoning decisions should include more upfront engagement and clearer study requirements; staff explained that many technical reviews (traffic, drainage, environmental) are performed at the later site‑plan stage and that conditional rezoning would need to be proposed by the applicant. Robler said agency reviews indicate adequate public services are available and that the planning commission concluded the request aligns with the comprehensive plan.

Despite residents’ concerns and repeated requests for more evidence, the motion to approve passed on a roll call vote, six ayes and zero nays. Staff and the board noted that site‑plan review and any required technical studies would follow if a developer submits a specific proposal.