Homeowner tells Hancock County board her building permit was blocked by recorded‑plat/POA issue

Julie Hill addressed the Hancock County Board of Supervisors during public comment on Nov. 3, saying she purchased Lot C in a subdivided property at White Cypress Lake and that her builder was denied a building permit.

Hill said the lot closed in July and that Planning & Zoning had blocked the builder’s permit request after an application by Randy Green (president of the property owners’ association) to resubdivide part of the POA property had been submitted. She said she did not know precisely which filings affected her lot and asked the board for help to understand what documentation would allow her to proceed.

County staff and at least one commissioner (Mr. Yarborough, speaking in the hearing) explained two possible avenues for relief: obtain written permission from all affected property owners under the existing recorded plat (the transcript indicates the plat locks lot configurations and that amending it ordinarily requires the written consent of affected property owners), or pursue a Chancery Court action to amend the recorded plat. Officials told Hill the board itself does not have authority to amend the recorded plat as recorded in the Chancery Clerk’s office and recommended she consult an attorney and county staff to identify the appropriate documents and next steps.

Hill described being “distressed” and asked for guidance; commissioners offered to meet with her and county staff to review the records. The board did not take formal action on the permit or on any plat amendment during the Nov. 3 meeting.

Next steps: county staff advised Hill to consult an attorney and to meet with planning/building office staff to identify the documents needed to proceed; the board did not schedule any further hearing on this matter at Nov. 3 meeting.