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Subdivision proposal in rural Johnson County rejected, plan to go back to zoning board

Plans to develop in rural Johnson County were remanded back to the Southeast Consolidated Zoning Board for further consideration.

The Johnson County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to send a request for rezoning back to the board at its regular meeting Thursday to give the applicant another opportunity to improve the plans.

The applicant, Domino Acquisitions, requested rezoning of a 40 acre property northeast of 191st Street and Nall Avenue, from a rural district to a planned rural district, with plans for five residential lots on the property.

The zoning board voted 4-3 denying the request at their regular meeting on June 1 because the request was not consistent with the character of the neighborhood, the subdivision was not appropriate for the area and one of the proposed local streets would be created on the assumption of future development north of the property.

Michelle Kriks, a planner for Johnson County, said at Thursday’s meeting that the areas surrounding the property are mostly zoned as rural districts and rural neighborhood districts.

She said that typically only one dwelling is allowed on 10 acres, but they can fit five residential lots on 40 acres if it is rezoned as a planned rural district, which allows a “bonus lot” every 30 acres.

At the zoning board meeting, there were also concerns that the lots may be too close to Camp Branch Creek, which runs through about one-third of the property. Part of the property is also within a 100-year floodplain area associated with the creek, meaning there is a 1% annual risk of flooding on the land, according to FEMA.

Preliminary plans suggested building a local road in the middle of the property going to the northern edge, with the assumption that the northern land might be developed further and that road could eventually be connected to a future development.

Jim Chalfant, who lives on the property north of the subject land, said at the Thursday meeting that he has no plans to sell or develop his property.

Tim Hickok, who lives near the land, also spoke and encouraged county commissioners to reject the request. He said many of the residences near the property have 40 or more acres, which is drastically different from the proposal.

“This project has no neighborhood support,” Hickok said.

Commissioner Janeé Hanzlick said that while the application may technically be compliant, she understands there are upset neighbors and wants everyone to be happy with it.

Commissioner Charlotte O’Hara said she believes it can be worked out if sent back to the zoning board.

The application will now go back before the Southeast Consolidated Zoning Board at their regular meeting on August 3.