Planning committee sets Aug. 25 hearing on Southpointe homeowner’s 10-by-10 covered porch

The Planning and Development Committee on July 20, 2025, voted to set a public hearing for Aug. 25 on an amended development plan to allow a 10-by-10 covered porch at 124 Southpointe Drive and sent the item out without a recommendation pending that hearing. Councilor Nelms made the motion and Councilor Sims seconded; the committee voted 3-0 to set the date.

The hearing matters because the Southpointe subdivision is zoned PR-1, which requires an approved development plan before changes such as covered porches can be permitted; planning staff told the committee it could not locate the original development plan for the subdivision. That absence, staff said, means any new exterior coverage requires committee approval of an amended plan to establish setbacks and other site criteria.

A planning staff member explained that “PR-1 requires an amendment to the development plan,” and that the city could not locate the plan filed when Southpointe was developed. The staff member said that, accordingly, the city must review any proposed porch or other change as an amended development plan.

Applicant Matthew York told the committee his family sought the porch to speed construction during the summer and because of family circumstances. York said, “We have four kids … we were just kind of trying to get as much done through the summer as possible,” and added that the family submitted an amended survey showing the porch location. He said Arrington Engineering performed a stormwater analysis and “found that there was no significant impact … it was basically the same as if it wasn’t there.”

Committee materials show the covered porch would measure 10 feet by 10 feet and sit about 14.1 feet from the rear property line. Planning staff told the committee the planning commission recommended the amended plan favorably by a 6-2-0 vote earlier in the month.

The formal action was limited: Nelms moved to set a public hearing for Aug. 25 and to send the item out without a recommendation pending that hearing; Sims seconded. The vote was recorded as three in favor and none opposed. No amendments or conditions were recorded at the meeting; the committee did not make a final decision on the amended plan itself.

Next steps: the item will return for a public hearing on Aug. 25, at which the committee may receive public comment, consider evidence, and vote on approval or denial of the amended development plan.