Planning Commission Rezones Highland Drive Property for Eventual Sale

McKenzie Planning Commission board members met Wednesday, March 25, at McKenzie City Hall with two items on their agenda: a rezoning request for a property on Highland Drive and a proposed amendment to expand the minimum threshold for a “Minor Subdivision.”

The Perkins Corporation property located at 15687, 15671 and 15697 Highland Drive — the home of Dollar General, Factory Connection and Subway — had inconsistent zoning, as a small part of the property was zoned as R-3 (High-Density Residential) and the rest was zoned as B-2 (Highway-Business).

The Perkins Corporation is marketing the property to sell and requested that all pieces of the property be zoned as B-2.

The Planning Commission agreed to rezone the property located at 15687, 15671 and 15697 Highland Drive as B-2.

The board next considered an amendment that would revise the minimum threshold for determining what constitutes a “Minor Subdivision.”

Currently, any subdivision involving more than two lots and/or an extension of water and sewer mains is considered a “Major Subdivision.” The Planning Commission must review and approve both a preliminary plat and a final plat before construction can begin on a subdivision of three lots or more — even if it is located on an existing street with existing water and sewer utilities.

Staff planner Donny Bunton drafted a subdivision regulation amendment which would allow a subdivision of no more than five lots (with no street or utilities extensions required) to be considered a “Minor Subdivision” and therefore required only to submit a final plat.

The drafted amendment includes a clause granting the Planning Commission the right to require a preliminary plat for any minor subdivision due to topographic or other concerns.

Before the Planning Commission members can adopt this amendment, they will need to have a public hearing. The board agreed to host the hearing in May but has yet to determine the exact date.

In other news, board chair Carol Nanney informed the Planning Commission that the April meeting will be member AJ Maxwell’s last, as he will be deployed to the Middle East in May. He will leave the board, but he hopes to rejoin when he returns home.