Assembly hears staff report on DNR rezone request for Salcha area, planners say proposal aligns with comprehensive plan

The Assembly Committee of the Whole received a staff report on Jan. 8 about a Department of Natural Resources rezone request (Ordinance 2025-30, RZ2026-001) covering roughly 2,192 acres north of Johnson Road and east of the Richardson Highway in the Salcha area. Staff said the proposal would rezone the parcels from General Use (GU) to Rural and Agricultural (RA-10) with lot sizes proposed between 20 and 80 acres.

The staff presenter said the application includes a replat that would create 17 lots and that signs were posted on the property to meet Title 18 notice requirements. The planning commission held a public hearing on Oct. 28 and recommended approval. Staff told the assembly the rezone aligns with the regional comprehensive plan and protects public health and safety by reducing density where sewer and water are not available.

Access and roads: Assemblymembers asked whether parcels would have usable legal access. Staff explained a Sullywood right-of-way and a section-line easement provide legal access, and a pending state subdivision would redraw parcel lines so each lot would have a dedicated right of way; lots larger than 20 acres typically do not require constructed roads unless further subdivided.

Trails and uses: Members asked about trails; staff said there are no formal proposed trails in the area and that any existing paths are informal.

Next steps: The presenter said the platting board will review the replat on Jan. 21; the rezone ordinance remains before the assembly as an advanced ordinance and would advance through the standard process for public hearings and legislative action.