Court splits on rezoning for 827 Cardwell Lane; evidentiary hearing ordered

The Franklin County Fiscal Court on Nov. 6 considered a first-reading ordinance to rezone a 25.45-acre tract at 827 Cardwell Lane (PVA Map #036-00-00012.00) from Rural Residential B (RB) to Rural Low Density Multifamily (RL). A motion to accept the planning and zoning commission record was moved by Squire Mike Harrod and seconded by Squire J.W. Blackburn; the motion failed 3–4. Voting in favor were Squire J.W. Blackburn, Squire Mike Harrod and Judge Michael Mueller. Voting in opposition were Squire Sherry Sebastian, Squire Kelly Dycus, Squire Richard Tanner and Squire Eric Whisman.

After that vote, Squire Eric Whisman moved and Squire Kelly Dycus seconded to schedule an evidentiary hearing on the ordinance. That motion passed 6–1; Squire Mike Harrod recorded the sole dissent. The court did not set a date for the evidentiary hearing during the session recorded in the transcript.

The ordinance was introduced as a first reading and the court relied on the planning and zoning commission record during debate; supporters and opponents split along the vote noted above. The transcript does not include public comment or additional written findings in the record attached to the motion, and it does not specify conditions or amendments that might accompany any future vote.

The next procedural step is the evidentiary hearing ordered by the court. The transcript does not indicate when that hearing will be held or whether additional materials will be solicited before the hearing.