Commission recommends larger minimum lot sizes for family subdivisions and advances ordinance changes to public hearing

At its Oct. 17, 2024 meeting, the Charlotte County Planning Commission recommended changes to minimum lot sizes for family subdivisions and voted to include staff's zoning ordinance edits in a public hearing.

Staff told the commission the Board of Supervisors referred a review of minimum lot sizes after concerns that one‑acre lots in the Village Center may not support private wells and septic systems. Staff recommended multiple text changes intended to clarify setbacks, frontage and how front setbacks are determined on lots not fronting public roads.

Key staff recommendations included addressing accessory structure setbacks and front setbacks for lots not fronting public roads, allowing a front setback determination based on existing development patterns, revising the frontage requirement for lots on existing roads in the General Agricultural District to 200 feet, and setting front setbacks for lots fronting private roads in the General Agricultural District to 70 feet.

Commissioners discussed whether a 1.5‑acre lot is sufficient to support private septic systems. Commissioner James Benn said smaller minimums could limit home size; Commissioner Miller Adams emphasized that soil type and lot shape affect septic siting and setback compliance. Supervisor Hazel Bowman Smith recommended allowing a 1.5‑acre minimum in the General Agricultural District to enable owners of existing three‑acre parcels to create family subdivisions under the proposed rules while noting a five‑year restriction on transferring the subdivided lot to a non‑family member.

Patrick Andrews moved to recommend a minimum two‑acre lot size for family subdivisions in the General Agricultural District and minimum 1.5‑acre lot sizes in the Village Center and General Residential districts; Richard Vaughan seconded the motion and it carried with all members present voting yes. Commissioner James Benn then moved to include staff's recommended zoning ordinance changes in the public hearing along with the minimum lot sizes; David Watkins seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

The commission's recommendations will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors and included in the public hearing process; no ordinance amendments were adopted at this meeting.