Rock Quarry proposal denied by commission

By JUSTIN WILLETT of the Tribune’s staff

Story ran on Friday, September 7, 2001

The Columbia Planning and Zoning Commission last night unanimously recommended for denial a plan by developer Steve Herigon to build 84 townhouses on Rock Quarry Road.

The plan, which was tabled three times, called for building 84 units on the 21-acre site, which lies on the west side of Rock Quarry Road and stretches west to the Seven Oaks subdivision.

The request was for planned unit development zoning, which would allow the development to be clustered on the east side of the parcel, leaving 60 percent of the site undeveloped because of rough topography.

Neighbors were opposed to such a high density along the road, which is designated a scenic roadway, so Herigon said he’d accept a density of four units per acre.

Richard Simpson, president of the Grindstone-Rock Quarry Neighborhood Association, told the commission that Herigon’s request was "totally inconsistent" with the surrounding area, and the neighbors might support a density of two units per acre.

"It is obvious that development along scenic Rock Quarry Road is inevitable," Simpson said. But Herigon has shown a "lack of regard" for the neighbors and the situation, he said.

Commissioner Cyndy Jones urged the neighbors to pursue a special area designation plan for the Rock Quarry Road area so that a policy guide would be available for developers to reference.

"I see Rock Quarry Road as being a special area," Jones said.

Chairman Jerry Wade reminded members that they had a specific proposal to consider.

"I think that’s an idea that’s well worth pursuing," Wade said, "but independent of the decision tonight."

Commissioner Jeff Barrow said he was concerned about all the left turns the development would create on the narrow road.

There would be "a lot of uncontrolled left hand turns," he said. With such a high density "the city would be virtually guaranteeing someone’s death sentence."

The commission decided that it should vote the PUD-5 plan up or down, not make changes to the plan.

"The commission should not be in the position of redesigning a plan that has been submitted," commissioner L.A. Daugherty said.