Court tables rezoning of 407 acres at 1675 Van Meter Road amid traffic and bridge concerns

Clark County Fiscal Court on March 26 discussed an ordinance to rezone roughly 407 acres at 1675 Van Meter Road from agricultural use to a Planned Development (PD) district, but members raised traffic, bridge and infrastructure concerns and ultimately tabled the rezoning for further review.

Robert Jeffries, identified himself as the county planning director, told the court that rezoning to PD does not approve a final development; instead, the developer later must submit a planned‑development project that will include required studies such as traffic analyses. Jeffries said a traffic study would accompany any development plan and that entrance improvements are commonly required and often paid by developers, while broader road widening could fall to the county depending on negotiations.

Several members whose districts border the property pressed for clearer answers about who would pay for upgrades to Van Meter Road and how the nearby one‑lane bridge would be handled. One member said the road is narrow and has farm equipment traffic; another said the planning commission could require road improvements and that the public will have hearings on any future development plan.

After extended discussion of process, impacts, and the need for planning‑commission review and traffic studies, the court voted to table the ordinance until the county attorney and planning staff provide additional technical and legal advice.

What happens next: the rezoning ordinance was tabled; planning staff and counsel will provide further information and the planning commission will hold public hearings when a development plan is formally submitted.