After heavy public comment on drainage and slope, commissioners hold SOTA Properties lot‑size reduction until Feb. 17, 2026

Commissioners deferred other business item 58 (SOTA Properties LLC) to their Feb. 17, 2026 zoning hearing after extended neighborhood testimony and technical discussion on Nov. 18.

Applicant David So to said the property had been two lots since 1960 and asked the board to approve minor reductions (28,801 sq ft and 29,286 sq ft) to facilitate building. Neighbors including Sean Davis, Kim Berry and others described repeated stormwater failures on Honeysuckle Lane, a junction box blowout in 2023, steep grades and concerns that splitting the lot would increase runoff and require large retaining walls. Davis described a private stormwater system and said ongoing maintenance costs had fallen to neighbors; Berry said the street’s 1960 drainage system was insufficient to accommodate additional homes.

Staff recommended approval subject to the submitted site plan (10/14/2025) and standard conditions including water & sewer, stormwater and DOT comments. Stormwater Manager Andrew Heath said the southernmost lot includes a registered floodplain but that more than a half‑acre of buildable area exists outside that floodplain; he said detention and impervious‑area controls would be required and described likely detention locations in the front valley area of the lots. Commissioners debated private versus public stormwater ownership, responsibility for prior repairs and whether additional infrastructure or hydrants would be required for fire access. One commissioner said more time was needed to refine detention/wall plans and to allow staff, DOT and neighbors to meet; the board voted 5‑0 to hold the item until Feb. 17, 2026.