Residents ask commission to study Cougar Cliffs for UGA inclusion; Bigelow Gulch businesses seek conditional-use flexibility

Several public commenters used the Jan. 15 workshop to press planning staff to consider specific properties in the comprehensive-plan update and EIS.

A commenter who identified development plans for a project called Cougar Cliffs asked the commission to include that property in UGA expansion study areas and noted nearby Eagle Bluff development would extend roads and utilities to support new construction. "Please include Cougar Cliffs in further study for UGA inclusion as part of the EIS development process," the speaker said.

At Bigelow Gulch, third-generation farmer Todd Wood and business owner Caroline Pickaway described plans for a farmer's market and community center and requested conditional-use permits to allow a coffee shop and market activities rather than a full rezoning. Pickaway said the building is already commercial and has parking and does not require land conversion for the proposed uses.

Staff said code compliance is reviewing the list of businesses in the Bigelow Gulch corridor to determine which uses predate current zoning and that the corridor was previously considered for UGA expansion but withdrawn after appeal. Chesney noted the corridor will be part of analysis in some areas for the 2026 update, but other expansions may be deferred to later updates because of new legislative constraints on UGA expansion.

Next steps: staff will consider Cougar Cliffs in EIS study areas if appropriate, review code compliance and business histories on Bigelow Gulch, and communicate follow-up with the requesters.