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Lancaster planning panel unanimously approves D.R. Horton 46‑lot preliminary plat with two variances
Summary
The Lancaster City Planning Commission approved a preliminary plat for a 46‑lot D.R. Horton subdivision on Jan. 8, 2026, granting variances to allow a 20‑foot front setback on lots 11–36 and locating sanitary sewer outside the street right‑of‑way; engineering staff said conditions will be addressed during final design.
Service‑Safety Director Carrie Woody opened the Lancaster City Planning Commission meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 8, 2026, and Commission staff introduced Case No. 2026.001: a preliminary plat submitted by D.R. Horton to develop a roughly 20.60‑acre parcel east of Countryside Drive and west of the Wacker Heights Addition into 46 single‑family lots.
Chasilyn Carter of Community Development described the proposal, saying each lot will exceed the 5,000‑square‑foot minimum and the 50‑foot frontage requirement and that lots along the primary entrance, Country Ridge Court, will meet the 25‑foot front setback required by LCO 1129.03. Lots fronting Woodview Street, however, request a variance to allow a 20‑foot front setback on lots 11–36 because of steep hillside topography. The application also requests a variance under LCO 1109.08(b) to construct sanitary sewer outside the street right‑of‑way between manholes 1 and 2; the code allows the Planning Commission to waive the right‑of‑way requirement when the City Engineer recommends it and a maintenance easement is provided.
Curt Shonk of the City Engineer's Office said the Engineer's Office "is not opposed to any of the variances that are being asked for," and that remaining engineering comments will be addressed in the subsequent design and final plat phases. Mike Reeves of Kimley Horn described the site's topography and the reasons for the reduced setback along Woodview Street. When Commissioner Sherry Orlando asked whether basements would be allowed below the mapped floodplain, Shonk said "most of the plots will be on a slab." Jeff Baird said the office would be supportive of a variance provided listed conditions are met, and Jan Coccia asked whether floodplain boundaries had changed after last year's flooding; Shonk replied that floodplain maps "only change if there is a significant study done and are not based on flood events."
Commissioner Sherry Orlando moved to approve the preliminary plat and variance requests; Jan Coccia seconded. With no further discussion the commission voted unanimously to approve the preliminary plat. Service‑Safety Director Carrie Woody carried the motion. The commission then adjourned at 9:42 a.m. after a unanimous motion to adjourn by Bob Lovell, seconded by Rick Wilkens.
Engineering staff and the applicant will address detailed engineering comments and easement documentation during the final design and plat stages before lots are recorded and building permits issued.
