The Valley County Planning and Zoning Commission approved another subdivision off Highway 55.
The McCall Landing subdivision would be situated a few miles from the highway near Norwood Road. It would include 19 single-family homes with lots ranging from 2.2 acres to 4.6 acres.
The commission unanimously approved the 64-acre subdivision.
“We have to follow the ordinances of our county and right now our county ordinances allow multiple uses,” Commissioner Ken Roberts said. “Compatibility ratings is appropriate for this. I think that this whole corridor between Lake Fork and McCall is developing. There are some residential areas but a lot of its commercial. So it’s a mixed-use county.”
There would be 6.4 acres of open space- mostly taken up by a pond.
There were two residents opposed to the development. One submitted a written comment and another testified.
Dennis Musgrove, who owns a neighboring property, testified in opposition because this development does not have an affordable component, it could lower the water table, and bring more traffic.
“The water level was already dropped a foot. What is all this development going to do to the water table? Are we going to wind up having to drill our wells deeper? That’s one of my major concerns. The other one is what is all a sewer going to do to my water? I’ve had my water tested before I ever bought this place and moved into it. It was good. Is it going to maintain that level of quality or is this going to affect it?” Musgrove asked. “… I don’t think this development is needed for housing. It’s going to wind up being seasonal people. If you’re just middle class, you can’t afford to build a house in Valley County anymore.”
Wells and septic systems will be used for water and sewer.
Joan Zimmer, who owns a home north of the proposed development, was undecided on the project but shared her concerns with the commission. Zimmer has cattle and said some parts of the development would have cows right by the fence. She said having agriculture uses on the property “invites dissent between neighbors.”
“My concern is that with lots this small, a two-acre lot that has to have a house septic field and a well on it- that abuts agricultural property. (And) is a kind of inviting dissent between neighbors. The cows love that area – just north of this fence line,” Zimmer said.
A condition requires the McCall Landings’ homeowner’s association to service the fence to keep out livestock from neighboring properties.
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The subdivision would be accessed from a new gravel road off Highway 55.
