Commission defers Habitat for Humanity rezoning after residents press for more dialog on central green space

The Mainland Planning Commission on July 1 voted to defer consideration of a rezoning request from R‑6 to General Residential (GR) for a parcel at 1917 Sixth Street that is part of the Century Place Habitat for Humanity development.

Senior planner Christina Wright said ZM‑25‑10 would allow a slightly higher density metric to create approximately two additional lots in the development; staff explained the change was requested to permit a mix of single‑family homes and townhomes as the development proceeds. Jay Kaitar of Robert Civil Engineering, an authorized agent for Habitat for Humanity and a member of the Habitat board, said the change would enable the organization to gain the additional lots necessary to continue development of the community.

Several residents spoke in opposition during the public hearing, raising a mix of safety and process concerns. Nicole Ransom (105 Century Place Circle) said residents had been told the center “would be 15 homes built” on the perimeter and that the interior green space would be available for neighborhood uses; she said adding lots in the center would reduce the only play area for local children and complicate parking. Ashley Gilliard said she opposed the rezoning because her 5‑year‑old autistic son “runs in the road sometimes when I look away for 2 seconds and he'll freeze in front of a car,” and she urged preservation of safe play space. Other residents echoed concerns about parking pressure, lack of sidewalks to nearby Polk Park and whether Habitat had committed in writing to keep the interior area as green space.

Representatives for Habitat, including Jay Kaitar and a Habitat representative who said the nonprofit had discussed insurance limitations for public parks, said Habitat does not typically manage public parks and that transferring the parcel to the county had been discussed and rejected by board leadership. Planning staff and a commissioner suggested additional meetings between Habitat and residents to identify options (including dedication or deed transfer, limited‑lot concepts, or dedicating the center to the HOA) before the commission acts. The commission voted 5–0 to defer ZM‑25‑10 to the August meeting to allow those conversations to continue.