Monroe County planning panel forwards contested 25‑year sliding‑scale subdivision rule to commissioners, 5‑4

The Monroe County Plan Commission voted 5‑4 on Monday to forward a proposed amendment to the county development ordinance known as ZOA‑25‑3 to the Board of Commissioners, recommending the plan language that formalizes a 25‑year reservation on parent parcels under the sliding‑scale subdivision option.

Staff presented the amendment as illustrative clarifications and two new purpose statements: (1) to allow flexibility for smaller residential lots served by private sewage disposal while preserving a majority of the original tract for agriculture or conservation, and (2) to ensure development in rural areas will not overburden infrastructure and emergency services. Staff described a sliding‑scale example in which new lots could be as small as 2.5 acres while the parent‑parcel remainder must contain at least 55% of original acreage; the parent parcel would be restricted from further subdivision for 25 years from the date of recording.

The debate centered both on procedure and on substance. Commissioners first argued about whether to “call the question” and close debate; that procedural fight included a point of order and a discussion of prior review by the Ordinance Review Committee. Once the floor turned to substance, Commissioner David Henry urged additional evidence before codifying a 25‑year reservation, saying in part that the ordinance “states that the county legislatively finds that a 25‑year restriction is reasonably necessary” but that “the ordinance it cites does not explain why the 25 years was chosen” and that the record lacks a data‑driven justification. Henry said the rule risks relying on an appeal to tradition rather than an evidence‑based finding and argued the code already contains safeguards such as minimum acreage and discretionary review.

Supporters said the provision is one option among several available to landowners and provides predictability for neighbors. Commissioner Jeff Morris said the sliding‑scale option with the 25‑year reservation is only one choice presented to landowners and that other subdivision options remain available. Commissioner Scott Ferris (who frequently spoke as “Colonel Farris”) moved the favorable recommendation; the motion included waiver of the final hearing and was seconded on the floor. The roll call vote was 5 in favor (Jeff Morris, Julie Thomas, David Bush, Margaret Clements, Scott Ferris) and 4 opposed (David Henry, Joe Van Deventer, Enright Randolph, Rudy Fields).

The commission’s vote does not adopt the amendment — it forwards a recommendation. The Board of Commissioners will receive the plan commission’s favorable recommendation and will make the final decision on ZOA‑25‑3.

The motion concluded with the commission directing staff to include the amended language and supporting exhibits in the record for the county commissioners’ consideration.