Commission forwards positive recommendation for Howard–Kelly rezone despite neighbor access concerns

The Morgan County Planning Commission voted to forward a positive recommendation to the county commission for a rezone application by Howard and Kelly Thurston to change about 26 acres from A20 (agriculture, 20‑acre minimum) to RR5 (ranch residential, 5‑acre minimum).

Staff read a set of findings supporting the amendment and noted that RR5 zoning is adjacent to parts of the area. Multiple neighbors spoke during the public hearing, raising concerns about the narrowness of Island Road and the absence of recorded public access to portions of the land; some speakers said a stretch of the road has an “end of county road” sign and that they have not seen formal abandonment proceedings.

Staff responded that rezonings do not require immediate access—the subdivision rules and platting process address frontage and access requirements, and any future subdivision would have to provide legal frontage or meet the code’s access standards. Commissioners discussed spot‑zoning concerns and noted that RR5 zoning already exists near the parcel in question.

The commission moved and seconded a motion to forward a positive recommendation for rezone application 26.002 (change of zoning and future land use designation), and the motion passed by voice vote. The application will now move to the Morgan County Commission for final action.