The Planning and Zoning Commission has forwarded its recommendation that the Town Council approve a proposed Major General Plan amendment for the Adero Canyon subdivision requested by Toll Brothers Homes.

With the General Plan amendment Toll Brothers is requesting a change to the zoning designations on eight parcels from their original designations. Since the request applies to more than 80 acres of property it requires a “major” amendment as opposed to a “minor” change.

Currently the General Plan, approved in 2010, calls for single family residential development on large custom lots. The amendment would provide for a broader mix of residential home products on smaller single-family and two-family lots.

The change will also convert 167 acres of what would be private property to open space.

Attorney Wendy Riddell told the commission a change in market conditions has caused Toll Brothers to look toward offering a greater diversity of housing and the need is for smaller lots than are currently platted on the property.

Jeff Nielsen with Toll Brothers told the commission the single-family detached housing would range from 1,900 square feet to 3,000 square feet. He said models could be up to 4,000 square feet with basements. Some of the parcels are designated for townhomes. Nielsen said those would range from 1,700 to 2,000 square feet with up to 3,000 with basements.

Discussion and a recommendation on a proposed Planned Area Development (PAD) for the subdivision have been delayed until the commission meets in January.

The short-handed commission voted 3-0 to recommend approval. The newest commissioner, Christopher Jones, recused himself from the discussion due to an unspecified relationship with Toll Brothers.

It was reported that two commissioners, Gene Mikolajczyk and Howie Jones, had resigned their seats on the commission on Wednesday before the meeting.

In his letter of resignation Jones cited “disappointment” in the town council’s “lack of transparency and fiscal responsibility.”

He specifically called out the handling of the Park Place development fees, firing of former town attorney Andrew McGuire and the feasibility study for the Crystal Lagoon project.

Mikolajczyk cited no reasons in his letter of resignation.

The Town Council will consider the request for the Major General Plan amendment when it meets next Tuesday, Dec. 19.

The commission began its meeting by electing a new chairman and vice chairman for the coming year.

Amberleigh Dabrowski was elected to serve as chairperson and Susan Dempster will be vice chair.