The Oakwood City Council denied a rezoning request at their meeting Monday night that would bring a 61 home subdivision to Falcon Crest Drive and Martin Road.
Three commissioners voted to deny Cajun-Dawg Land Holding LLC’s request, while Todd Wilson voted against the denial.
Nine nearby residents spoke in opposition to the development, citing concerns of traffic, land density and overdevelopment.
Cajun-Dawg Land Holdings, LLC originally estimated that they would build between 61 and 90 homes in a community with private streets. With a steep slope greater than 25 percent, the subdivision would have space for 50-foot wide homes.
Residents like Debra Harkrider would have been more accepting of the rezone proposal if there were fewer lots.
“They could make nine gorgeous estate homes if they wanted to and hopefully recoup whatever monies they're trying to,” Harkrider said. “But we'd really like to have our neighborhood stay a nice rural neighborhood.”
Another resident pointed out that the development would add to existing traffic from the nearby 312-unit Atwater apartment community.
Eric Johanson represented Cajun-Dawg and argued that the nearby traffic circle would mitigate congestion concerns.
“Traffic's already out on the road. It's why the traffic circle's there,” Johanson said. “That's why both road frontages are both busy.”
Commissioner Wilson sided with Cajun-Dawg, saying that the developer had come before the planning commission twice and addressed the density issues presented by commissioners. He said that traffic conditions were inevitable.
“My voting against the denial is that I feel for the property owner who should have that right to develop,” Wilson said.
