A controversial rezoning request for 717 W. Locust St. left the Woodstock Planning Commission momentarily paralyzed Monday night, as Chairman Keith Lantz called several times for a motion and was met with silence.

The commission eventually voted 4-1, with one member abstaining, to recommend against the 5.33-acre rezoning from Low Density Residential (R-1) to Medium Density Residential (R-2). Hopkins Construction Company’s plan called for as many as 20 “courtyard homes” with a new road connecting to West Locust. Without the rezoning, the low-density zoning will only allow up to 12 homes, according to owner Axel Hopkins.

Before the vote, the commission appeared flummoxed following nearly 40 minutes of nearby residents expressing concerns about the development followed by Hopkins' response.

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