Jefferson County delays rezoning of former Hillview Elementary after neighbors raise septic and traffic concerns

The Jefferson County Commission on May 7 voted to delay action for 30 days on Z260007, a rezoning application for the former Hillview Elementary site in the Forest Veil/Forestdale area, after multiple residents raised concerns that the school parcel contains septic-field lines that may encroach onto adjacent yards and that new development could worsen local traffic.

Planning staff told commissioners the applicant initially sought R-6 zoning but staff and the planning and zoning commission recommended R-2 — a lower-density option that provides 10,000-square-foot lots and 65 feet of road frontage. Josh, planning staff, said, “R-6 is 6,000 square foot lots with 50-foot road frontage minimum ... R-2 is 10,000 square feet” and added that R-2 would be less dense and more consistent with surrounding residences.

Several neighbors said they have maintained parts of the old school grounds for decades and said probes by the Jefferson County Health Department indicate septic field lines likely extend onto the school parcel. Angela Jones King said, “My biggest concern was that ... the field lines do encroach onto his property,” and asked the county to require a survey and consider easements so construction will not disrupt residents’ septic systems.

Resident Roy McDaniel raised traffic safety concerns tied to narrow local streets and multiple 90-degree turns on Egret Drive, saying grandchildren play near the curve and warning that additional homes will increase traffic at a hazardous spot.

Jim Mitchell, representing the developer, said his company has built many subdivisions in the area and told the commission it would be willing to proceed under R-2: “We conceded at the zoning hearing that we would ... be okay with R-2. We would just work our plan around an R-2 zoning.” Mitchell said the Board of Education handled owner notices and that his purchase contract is with the board, not with the neighbors.

Commissioner Scales, the district commissioner, told residents the commission had not previously approved development on the site and said he wanted additional neighborhood-level information on traffic and property boundaries before a final vote. Scales moved to delay Z260007 for 30 days so the community and staff could gather the necessary surveys and traffic information; a second was recorded, and the motion passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition. The chair said there would be no additional public hearing on the case and asked residents to work with their commissioner or Developmental Services to provide materials for the commission’s review.

Why it matters: the case concerns the conversion of an old elementary-school parcel into 28 single-family lots; unresolved septic encroachment or unclear property boundaries could create disputes or require easements that affect future homeowners and infrastructure work. The 30-day delay leaves time for a survey and for staff and the applicant to address road- and drainage-related questions before the commission votes.

Next step: The case will return to the commission after the 30-day delay, by which time commissioners and staff expect to have clarified property lines, potential easement needs tied to septic systems, and any recommended traffic mitigations. The motion specified community follow-up and staff updates but did not impose a condition tying approval to a specific remedy.