Montgomery City Council on Oct. 13 rejected a request to rezone a property that the owner wished to build two duplexes on.
Some context
The 0.7-acre lot currently is zoned to allow a single-family home to be built on it. The property owner had proposed to the city dividing it into two tracts and building two duplexes, allowing four households to live there.
During citizen comments, some residents told the council to reject the rezoning because they want to ensure Montgomery keeps its small-town feel and protects property values.
Two council members said they personally wouldn’t have a problem with rezoning the property to build the duplexes, but they were compelled to deny it based on nearby residents' wishes.
“I feel it’s not really anything different, and I’ve lived here over 50 years,” said council member Cheryl Fox. “But on the other hand, I can see that the citizens are very much opposed to it.”
The vote to deny the rezoning was unanimous. The project was designed to be compatible with the neighborhood, mimicking a single-family home and providing a more affordable housing option, according to council agenda documents.
“There will be many other places to have affordable housing, duplexes,” said council member Jeff Glaser. “We’re a small city, and we’re surrounded by so much. I moved here myself about four years ago to a small town and it’s grown so much.”
The city's planning and zoning commission at a prior meeting also recommended that the council reject the rezoning.
Related highlights
The City Council on Tuesday also approved awarding a construction contract to expand the sewer system for the Caroline Court development, previously named the Villages of Montgomery. City staff told the council they are widening a sewer line from six inches to 12 along Hwy. 105. The developer is paying for the project, with the city overseeing it.
Construction is expected to begin just after Thanksgiving and will cost $318,000.
Also on the way to Montgomery is a new 7Brew location. The beverage company predominantly serves drive-thru customers. The council approved allowing the 7Brew to open with a drive-thru at the intersection of Eva Street and Buffalo Springs Drive.
