Commission recommends changing Vista Park side‑yard rule to uniform 5‑foot setback

The Planning and Zoning Commission on Dec. 2 recommended that the City Council approve an amendment to the Vista Park planned development to change the side‑yard setback rule from 10% of lot width to a flat 5 feet.

Troy Lewis of Decatur VP LLC, the applicant, explained the amendment simplifies setback calculations for odd‑shaped lots such as pie‑shaped or cul‑de‑sac lots. Lewis said the prior 10% rule effectively equaled 5 feet for typical 50‑foot lots but produced inconsistent results for irregular lots; changing to a flat 5 feet would maintain a 10‑foot building separation while simplifying design and permitting.

Staff said the amendment does not change lot counts or land‑use designations and recommended approval. Commissioners asked technical questions about measurement points for setbacks and eave overhangs; staff clarified setbacks are measured to the vertical wall and typical eaves will not reduce required separation unless they approach code thresholds that could trigger additional fire‑protection requirements.

The commission voted to recommend the PD amendment to City Council.