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Planning commission backs administrative SALDO change to simplify small lot consolidations
Summary
Staff proposed and the commission recommended a SALDO amendment to allow an administrative, lower‑cost consolidation process for up to three contiguous lots with the same owner; the move aims to reduce time and professional fees for routine lot merges while preserving review safeguards.
Planning staff proposed a procedural change to the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) that would add an administrative exemption to streamline certain small lot consolidations. The commission voted to recommend the draft amendment to city council subject to solicitor and Delaware County Planning Department review.
Mr. Fritz explained the change would allow an administrative review path when an owner wants to merge up to three contiguous lots that share the same zoning and ownership. The streamlined process would still require a sealed survey and deed referencing the consolidation and would be recorded with the county, but it would avoid the cost and complexity of the full preliminary/final subdivision process for minor consolidations.
Staff described safeguards: the exemption would be limited to small consolidations (up to three lots), require the same owner and zoning for the parcels, require a sealed survey and deed, and remain subject to county and solicitor review. The planning director said the goal is to reduce burdens on residents who want to consolidate adjacent small lots for uses such as fencing, accessory structures or to resolve legacy parcel anomalies while retaining transparency and a record of the transaction.
The commission moved and seconded a recommendation forwarding the draft (dated 11/04/2025) to council for concurrence by the city solicitor and Delaware County Planning Department. Commissioners said they supported the administrative process while also asking staff to ensure the planning commission remains informed of consolidations and that enforcement for de‑facto deconsolidations remains possible.
