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Columbus County approves change to major subdivision minimum lot size for public-water/sewer lots
Summary
The Columbus County Board of Commissioners approved a text amendment to the county's major subdivision ordinance to raise the minimum lot size for lots served by public water and sewer from 15,000 square feet to 21,780 square feet, while asking planning staff to return with tighter language about right-of-way and easement inclusion.
The Columbus County Board of Commissioners on a unanimous vote approved a text amendment to the county's major subdivision ordinance that raises the minimum lot size for lots requiring public water and public sewer from 15,000 square feet to 21,780 square feet.
Planning Director Kelsey Hammond read the proposed amendment into the record and said the change would amend chapter 10, part 3, article 4, section 4(b) of the county's land-use regulations: "[t]he minimum lot size for lots with public water and public sewer" would change from "15,000 square feet" to "21,780 square feet." Hammond also said the board previously reviewed the comprehensive land-use plan and determined the amendment is consistent with that plan and reasonable.
At the public hearing, several commissioners and members of the public asked whether road right-of-ways and easements would count toward the new minimum. Commission discussion made clear the board's intent was that rights-of-way and easements owned by the state or a developer not be included in the lot-size calculation. Hammond said the text amendment as advertised does not include explicit language about right-of-way inclusion or exclusion and that if the board wants that clarification, the ordinance language would need to be amended and re-advertised.
Commission members pressed planning staff for clarity about setbacks and surveying procedures. Hammond said the amendment affects only the minimum lot size in the major subdivision ordinance and does not alter established setback rules: "the setback still remain consistent at 50 feet from the front, 25 from the back, and 15 from both sides." She also said standard surveying procedures are unchanged; the amendment only changes square-foot requirements.
After the public hearing, Commissioner Byrd moved to approve the text amendment; Commissioner Bullard seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioners asked planning staff to return at the next meeting with revised wording to explicitly address whether rights-of-way and easements should be included in lot-area calculations.
Why it matters: The change increases the minimum developable area for lots in major subdivisions served by public utilities, which affects density and future development patterns in parts of Columbus County that use public water and sewer systems.
Votes at the meeting: Motion to close the public hearing: passed (voice). Motion to approve the amendment to the major subdivision ordinance: passed (voice vote).
