The Woodbury Planning Commission voted 3-3 on a controversial residential subdivision proposal during their Aug. 18 meeting, sending the Ranch Road Edition project to city council without a recommendation.

Applicant Nate Labbat requested rezoning his 8040 Ranch Road property from R1 to R4 to create three additional single-family lots alongside his existing home. The project would pave the currently private gravel road at the developer's expense and connect to municipal utilities through the adjacent Bridalwood Farms development.

Neighbors raised significant concerns about storm water drainage, increased traffic and loss of rural character. Arlland Marcus, whose property sits east of the proposed lots, told commissioners that previous Bridalwood construction caused repeated flooding and driveway washouts that were never repaired by the developer. "We've been promised a lot of things with the Bridalwood development, all of which basically didn't happen as promised," Marcus said.

Willie Hendrickson and Tom Harter, who live on Ranch Road, expressed similar concerns about parking overflow onto their properties and inadequate road infrastructure for doubled traffic. The narrow private road lacks curbs, gutters and city maintenance.

Commissioners added conditions requiring review of storm water connections to Stable View Drive, posting security for proper drainage, and restricting construction vehicle parking. The tie vote means the project advances to city council with no planning commission recommendation.

In contrast, the commission unanimously approved Gold Ridge Companies' Alma Flora Spanish immersion daycare project. The 14,470-square-foot facility would serve up to 220 children ages 3 to kindergarten on property west of Beenburg Drive. Commissioners praised the educational concept and architectural design while adding conditions for parking review and safety bollards near the playground area.