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Council denies preliminary plat for two‑lot flag subdivision on Shady Lane, citing flag‑lot prohibition

5969246 · October 21, 2025
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Summary

City Council denied a preliminary plat that would have created a flag (panhandle) lot at 410–414 Shady Lane, saying the request did not meet the narrow exceptions in the subdivision ordinance that permit such lot types.

The City Council unanimously denied a preliminary plat application Wednesday that would have split two parcels at 410 and 414 Shady Lane into two single‑family lots including a flag (panhandle) lot.

Applicant presentation and rationale

Applicant representative Ashim Gojiri described the proposal as a plan to create two large, high‑end single‑family lots on roughly 2.45 acres, with the rear lot accessed via a narrow panhandle drive. Gojiri said the owner planned high‑end homes with wide façades and argued the flag‑lot configuration would preserve tree canopy and avoid more disruptive grading. "The owner wants to build 2 high end luxury houses in each of these lots," he said.

Why council denied the plat

Council cited the city’s subdivision ordinance (Section 8.01.k), which generally prohibits panhandle/flag lots unless a narrow set of conditions are met (topographic/environmental constraints, temporary arrangements pending future conventional access, or no adverse effects on surrounding properties). Planning staff and the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended denial. At Wednesday’s meeting council agreed the proposal did not satisfy the ordinance exception tests and also denied a requested variance for sidewalk construction along the frontage required by ordinance 483 (a 5‑foot sidewalk is required).

Vote and next steps

Council voted 6–0 to deny the preliminary plat and the associated sidewalk variance. The applicant may modify the plan and return with a design that meets subdivision standards or pursue alternate lot configurations that provide conventional frontage. Council did not grant a waiver of the panhandle prohibition.

Ending

The denial leaves the property in its current configuration; applicants and neighbors may continue to negotiate alternate plans, but any new plat must comply with the city’s subdivision regulations or include a clearly justified exception meeting the ordinance tests.