Council approves annexation and rezoning for 2327 Ewing Drive with 300‑ft buffer and 60‑unit cap

City council approved a package of related land‑use actions for 2327 Ewing Drive: annexation into the city, a comprehensive‑plan future‑land‑use designation change to medium‑density residential, and a rezoning to RMF‑3 with conditions to limit impacts on adjacent neighborhoods.

Staff explained the property lies within the city/county Joint Planning Agreement (JPA) area and that the annexation and subsequent petitions comply with statutory and JPA criteria. The applicant, represented by Marty Black, described site constraints (existing pond, power‑line easement, and historic farm ditch) and said the development would likely consist of townhomes entered from Jacaranda Boulevard; he emphasized reductions from earlier, higher‑intensity proposals and said the owner had agreed to mitigation measures.

Council discussed utilities (county sewer service to the east of I‑75), drainage, access and compatibility. To address neighborhood concerns, the applicant and planning commission recommended stipulations: maximum building heights of 35 feet, a minimum 300‑foot separation from dwellings to the north measured to the pond edge, and limiting density to 60 units. Council added clarifying language that the 300‑foot buffer must prohibit structures and parking; the motion incorporating that revision passed on first reading (electronic vote: passed 6–1 for the comp‑plan item and subsequent rezoning passed unanimously on first reading per the record while the council confirmed the revised stipulation). The council directed staff to proceed with the required second readings and follow‑up technical reviews.

The council and applicant noted the site will require county permits to pave and improve Ewing Drive and to connect sewer; stormwater treatment will be addressed at the plat/site‑plan stage.

Next steps: the applications were set for second/final readings per statutory timelines and staff will verify technical compliance (stormwater, setbacks, utility agreements) during site‑plan and plat reviews before any building permits are considered.