Council upholds Land Use Control Board approval of two-lot Grandview subdivision after neighbors’ appeal fails

The Memphis City Council on May 20 rejected an appeal by neighbors seeking to overturn the Land Use Control Board’s approval of a two-lot residential subdivision at 4014 Grandview Avenue (case S24-41). Planning staff had recommended approval after concluding the proposed subdivision met the Unified Development Code’s subdivision standards and was compatible with development within a 500-foot radius.

John Zena of the Division of Planning and Development told the council that staff found the preliminary plan complied with approval criteria including plan completeness, availability of adequate public facilities or provision within the five-year CIP, and conformity with the development code. Zena also said planning reviewed the neighborhood character factors the UDC requires — setback lines, lot sizes and widths, proximity of arterial streets and diversity of land uses within 500 feet — and concluded the proposal was in keeping with the neighborhood.

Neighbors and representatives urged the council to reverse LUCB approval. David Wade, representing the residents, said almost 80% of neighbors on Grandview Avenue opposed the subdivision because it would produce the smallest lots on the street and disrupt the block’s established character. Attorney Alexander Wharton and other commenters pointed to the county assessor data and argued the proposed lots would be roughly 75 to 76 percent of the average lot size on Grandview Avenue.

Vice Chair Janice Swearingen Washington moved to deny the appeal; council discussion focused on whether to follow the UDC’s requirement to consider properties within 500 feet or to focus more narrowly on the immediate block. Attorney Josh Whitehead, representing the applicant, told council the UDC requires a 500-foot radius analysis and that by that metric the proposal is compatible. After debate the council rejected the appeal in the recorded vote, meaning the LUCB approval stands and the subdivision may proceed through the normal permitting and platting steps.

Councilman Carlisle had recused himself in writing from deliberations on this item, a recusal the clerk noted in the record.