The Planning & Zoning Commission on May 2025 approved, 7-0, a subdivision variance and short-form final plat for Carter's Place, a proposal affecting about 9.92 acres at 12400 Anderson Mill Road. The request seeks relief from the subdivision requirement that every lot abut an existing or proposed public or private street; existing recorded access easements provide the practical access to the rear parcel.

Staff explained the property is designated Industrial Manufacturing and zoned Light Industrial. The plat covers an eastern and western portion of an original lot that has been divided by meets-and-bounds conveyances over several decades; a recorded 60-foot access easement (recorded around 1980) and a 30-foot access easement along the western boundary provide ingress and egress to the rear tract.

Development engineer Gary Jones of Eagle Engineering, representing the owner, told commissioners the existing access easement provides vehicular access but that the existing drive is steep in places (averaging about 15% grade). Jones said the owner will reconstruct the existing access to meet safer standards and that the surface will likely be concrete to improve traction on the steep sections. Staff and the applicant discussed public road grade standards (8% for public streets) and the practical limits of constructing an 8% road given the site's topography.

Because the proposed Lot 13B would not provide the required frontage on a public or private street, staff recommended a variance to allow the lot configuration with conditions. One staff-recommended condition — accepted by the applicant and included on the plat — limits access to Petunia Street (a stubbed residential street adjacent to the site) to emergency use only; that restriction will be recorded as a plat note and enforced through the plat conditions.

Residents who live adjacent to the rear of the site spoke in opposition, citing concerns about noise, tree removal and property values; speakers included a resident at 3009 Blazing Star Trail and Tom Suffield, a Petunia Street property owner. Staff reminded the public that the property is already zoned Light Industrial and that replatting brings additional plat notes, landscaping, erosion control and development standards that will constrain future activity.

Commissioner Wernicke moved to approve the variance and short-form final plat as presented by staff; Commissioner Ingram seconded. The roll call vote was unanimous, 7-0. The approval allows the property owner to proceed with the replat subject to the recorded plat notes and the condition limiting access to Petunia Street to emergency access only.