Commission approves Soft Pine subdivision setback exception and replat; public raises concerns about later homeowner variance costs

Port St. Joe — The commission approved the planning board recommendation to allow a special exception for side-yard setbacks and to proceed with subdivisions (referred to in the meeting as Salt Pines/Soft Pine and Rich Family Plaza replat proposals). The motion carried without opposition after staff explained the platting and setbacks shown on recorded plats. At the meeting, a resident questioned what the reduced side-yard setback means for future homeowners and whether individual homeowners would later need to apply for exceptions to build additions. The resident, identified at the podium as Jim Sickles,…