A proposal to annex and rezone 4.85 acres at 3632 Baycon Road drew multiple residents to Canton City Council on Nov. 6 to describe recurring runoff, a steep slope above Park Village and potential traffic impacts.

Planning staff member Mister Green told the council the request (ANNX2509-003 and RZON2509-008) would change the current Cherokee County agricultural (AG) zoning to R-4, with a requested density of 5.77 dwelling units per acre and up to 28 lots on the 4.85-acre parcel. Green noted the city comprehensive plan recommends 1–3 dwelling units per acre for that area and described an applicant request for a variance to eliminate a 50-foot buffer where R-4 would abut property zoned Planned Development Mixed Use (PDMU).

The applicant representatives, Eddie Vargas and Corey Sonaker, described the project as a single-family subdivision and said they heard community concerns at a recent meeting. “We did feel like, we did understand the request and the comments for, you know, a privacy fence,” Vargas said, adding the team intends to design stormwater controls to meet local and state regulations and to consider a deceleration lane to address traffic.

Multiple residents spoke in opposition and urged more study. Ronald Johnson, a Park Village resident and civil engineer, said existing runoff already produces "white water" flows down a 2:1 slope and that a neighbor’s retaining wall had failed twice. "If impervious surface areas" increase with new development, Johnson said, "there's gonna be a lot more water to deal with than we have currently." He asked the council not to approve the project until surface-water runoff is properly addressed and maintained.

Other speakers cited wildlife and road-safety worries, property values and privacy. Tabitha Whitlark, who identified herself as a resident in unincorporated Cherokee County, said recent development around Hickory Reservoir has displaced animals and increased safety concerns on steep two‑lane roads. Bobby Neymar, a Park Village homeowner, asked for at least a 25-foot buffer, a continuous wood privacy fence and limits on house height "so we're not looking at 3‑story towers." Earl Darby, a long-time Keithburg resident, urged the council to delay new development until traffic problems are resolved.

Council members asked planning staff and the applicant detailed questions about detention ponds, whether a detention pond could be moved, HOA maintenance and whether the new subdivision could join or coordinate with the existing Park Village homeowners association. Mister Green said that specific stormwater design and long-term maintenance plans are developed as part of land‑disturbance and permitting processes and that approved plans must generally release water at predevelopment rates.

The council closed the public hearing after the applicant and residents spoke and did not vote on the annexation or rezoning at the Nov. 6 meeting. Staff and council members instructed the applicant to provide additional materials addressing stormwater, buffering and access before the council takes final action.

Looking ahead, the applicant has stated an intent to continue working with engineering staff and neighborhood representatives on drainage, buffers and roadway access; no approval or denial was recorded on Nov. 6.