Monroe County Planning Commission Approves Commercial Land Use, Increases Home Heights

Several local planning commissions across different counties have recently approved significant land use changes and development projects. Marion County's Planning and Zoning Board unanimously recommended a special use permit for Home Depot to allow outdoor storage and sales at a commercial parcel, despite some opposition focused on potential nuisances rather than outdoor sales themselves. Monroe County's Planning Commission approved rezoning three residential lots to commercial uses for low-intensity businesses and increased the maximum residential building height from 35 to 42 feet to allow more habitable floors. In Huntsville, the Planning Commission approved Westmoore Landing, a large-scale traditional neighborhood development with plans for 3,000 homes and mixed-use spaces emphasizing walkability and community connectivity. Grant County's Planning Commission approved a simple zone change on agricultural property to permit a smaller parcel carve-out for residential construction. Lastly, Marion County's Planning and Zoning Commission also moved forward with a zoning change for a high-end subdivision in Drake Ranch with lots costing over $1 million, signaling robust residential development activity in the region.