BULLARD — A requested zoning change to allow duplexes built off Third Street was voted down by the city council earlier this week.

Shane Lackey told council members he intended to build 10 duplexes, which could house 20 families on a 7-acre plot of land at the dead end of the street. He said the homes would vary between two and three bedroom units and cost an estimated $1,000 to $1,200 a month for potential renters.

“They are going to be high-end,” Lackey told members on Tuesday. “They are going to be brick with vinyl siding with a car and a half garage.”

Mayor Pam Frederick said the zoning request was denied by the planning and zoning board on Aug. 13, and to pass the measure it had to go through council with a three-fourths majority.

“The concern was the traffic it would create with the (development) Mr. Lackey is planning to put on the property,” said James Crawford, chairman of the planning and zoning commission. “The traffic flow coming and going to the school, the comprehensive plan that the city (adopted) has (the area) as a residential property, and also the fact that it met 20 percent opposition to the property being converted into R2.”

Crawford said there were many residents at the planing and zoning meeting voicing concerns.

Lackey said he intended to extend Third Street into his property and build a connecting street to reach the homes.

Brian Capps, city engineer, said the city has a right-of-way from Ella Street to the water tower. He said the proposed roadways would fit in the city's road grid system, and eventually as properties are developed in the area, it could extend to Lilly Lane.

“This is nothing but a zoning request,” Capps said, noting he had not seen any development plans for the property. “When he comes in to develop the property and lay structures on the property, that is when he has to come into the platting process. During that platting process we get to look at his track of land (and see) how Third Street needs to go from the east side of the property to the west side.”

The measure was unanimously voted down by the council.

“I'm all for expansion of Bullard,  growing Bullard, bringing new families into Bullard, however, in this situation with the opposition, with P&Z's recommendation that we not approve the zoning change Mr. Lackey I make a motion that we deny approval of this zoning change,” said council member Brent Ratekin.

Lackey said as of now he does not have intentions of changing building plans to construct single family homes on the property.

“I can rent houses and bring more tax flow to Bullard, he said. “But right now, I cannot show, on paper, cash flow for building houses and putting renters in them.”