Planning staff recommended denial of Hidden Falls Estates rezoning; Planning Commission supported recommendation

Ashley (Planning & Zoning, Speaker 8) presented RZ190621, a rezoning request from Jasper Property Ventures LLC to convert two adjoining parcels (parcel numbers 041143 and 041143001, roughly 100 acres combined) from agricultural to rural residential for a gated subdivision called Hidden Falls Estates. The developer's concept calls for about 20'30 vacation homes on 2'3-acre lots and includes amenities such as trails and a clubhouse; Ashley said the developer estimated homes would start at around $2,000,000.

Planning staff recommended denial because county ordinance prohibits construction of a subdivision off an easement road; Ashley cited the relevant ordinance language and the staff report. She said the Planning Commission voted to accept staff's recommendation (vote recorded as 6-2-0) and that RZ190621 is scheduled to come before the county commission in two weeks for consideration.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the location of the easement, how county maintenance ends at the yellow-arrow point shown on the map, and whether access would cross private parcels not included in the two subject parcels. Ashley and staff reiterated that the access is via a 40-foot easement across private property; under current ordinance, subdivisions must front on a state, federal or county-maintained road.

The rezoning remains pending before the county commission; no final decision was made at this work session.