Commission defers West Deckard minor subdivision after concerns about odd lot shapes

The Telehoma Regional Planning Commission voted 6‑0 to defer the West Deckard Minor Subdivision final plat to the June meeting, asking the applicant to submit a revised subdivision layout to resolve concerns about lot geometry and maintenance of narrow residual strips.

The proposal would create four lots at 400 Spruce Alley (Coffee County tax map references included in the file) and is proposed to be zoned R‑2. Planning staff reported that one dwelling is already under construction on Lot 1 and that a 20‑foot drainage easement containing a constructed swale crosses the property; Public Works monitored the swale to ensure it remained functional.

Commissioners raised repeated practical concerns about Lot 4’s narrow 5‑foot strip (approximately 5 feet by 190 feet), asking who would maintain such a narrow area and whether fencing and mowing would create future conflicts. Staff explained the lot configuration resulted from the interaction of minimum lot size and lot width standards in the ordinance; the layout as proposed is technically compliant, but commissioners said it appeared impractical.

Staff said they could not grant a variance to minimum lot sizes under existing rules; the chair and staff noted the commission has the option to defer and request alternatives. A commissioner moved to defer the item to the June meeting and asked staff to work with the applicant and surveyor (staff mentioned contacting a surveyor, Andy) to attempt a more feasible layout. The motion to defer passed 6‑0.

A question arose about Tennessee timing rules for plat review; staff clarified the commission has one deferral and must approve or deny the application at the subsequent meeting under applicable state procedural timelines discussed during the hearing.

The commission did not deny the application; it deferred it to allow the applicant to present a revised design.