Douglas County commissioners Wednesday unanimously approved rezoning 18.5 acres of land at the northwest corner of East 1600 and North 1000 roads from agricultural to suburban residential uses.

The approval allows the landowner, David E. Mears, to move forward on a project to develop five single-family homes along the north side of County Road 1055, a main route connecting Lawrence and Baldwin.

Some neighboring residents opposed the rezoning because of increasing problems with traffic, noise and drainage issues.

“Just because there’s a paved road and water meters doesn’t mean the land is ready to develop,” said Cindy Nau, who lives at 1039 East 1600 Road. “What about police and fire services?”

Commissioners said they considered the potential development to meet the planning requirements. Some of those requirements included access to paved roads and rural water meters.