By: Jeremy Handel, Staff Writer
Woodruff City Council members unanimously approved the creation of the new Planned Development zoning district, paving the way for developers to create new, multi-zoned projects, combining residential and commercial properties, without having to get them approved and develop them as separate projects. They also moved forward the first project to seek approval under the new district.
Council members heard the first reading of the new zoning district at their September meeting, where staff presented the idea. City staff had previously researched the Planned Development concept in other municipalities and customized the new district to Woodruff to make sure that any proposed developments would fit in with the city’s plans and feel.
Following a public hearing with no one speaking for or against the proposed district, the council approved the proposal, which the city’s planning commission had previously approved.
Council members also approved the annexation of three parcels totaling approximately 125 acres between Cross Anchor and Snowmill roads and zoning of this property as the first planned development project. City Manager Lee Bailey told the council that the proposed project is expected to have about 400 homes with two commercial lots on Cross Anchor Road at one of the entrances to the community.
In other business, the council approved the adoption of a new business license ordinance that will ensure Woodruff meets state standardization. The new ordinance was developed after review by the state municipal association and the state legislature to help make licensing more uniform across the state. They also approved the rezoning of two parcels on Snowmill road from multi-family residential to single-family residential. The owner of the property requested rezoning to develop single-family homes rather than apartments on the two parcels.
Author: Tracy Sanders
