One day after agreeing to wait up to 45 days to make a decision, the county commissioners announced late yesterday that they will vote today on a South Carroll family's request to rezone 145 acres of farmland for an upscale golf course community.

The commissioners plan to discuss and vote on the landmark rezoning case at 11: 30 a.m. in the County Office Building, 225 N. Center St., Westminster.

The Rash brothers -- Claude, Edwin and Glenn -- want to rezone 145 acres of their family farm west of Route 97 for a golf course and 50 homes.

County planners, however, have objected to the request, warning that it would undermine the county's agricultural land-preservation program and create a powerful precedent for other farmers seeking to rezone their property for residential development.

To win the commissioners' approval, the brothers must prove an error was made in the original zoning of their property or that the character of their neighborhood has changed substantially.

The brothers say they can prove both. But county planners disagree, arguing the family has met neither criterion.

The commissioners delayed a vote on the case Tuesday because of legal questions.

Pub Date: 8/26/99