Planning & Zoning recommends approval of Moose Hollow (Oswald) lot split, forwards to ALUA

Valarie Theurer, chair of the Mendon Planning & Zoning Commission, opened public comment and heard a presentation May 21 from property representative Lewis Wight on a proposed subdivision and lot split on parcel 11-0110029 (listed to Help Brecken Afford a Home, LLC.).

Wight described the proposal as creating three parcels along 300 North with lot widths of 2.33 chains (one chain = 66 feet; 2.33 chains ≈ 153 feet 9.3 inches) from an original roughly seven-chain parcel. He said Lot 1 would be about 0.76 acres and Lot 2 about 0.99 acres. Lot 2 would be accessed by a private drive on the west side of the property; both parcels are proposed as single-family buildable lots. Wight identified planned drain-field locations (Lot 1 northeast, Lot 2 southwest in a triangular area) and said an east-side slope on Lot 1 would be filled to be less than a 30% grade. He said he intends to sell Lot 1 and build on Lot 2. He also noted the private lane would include an easement allowing the city to maintain utilities.

Neighbors raised concerns during the public hearing. Judy Baker urged better public communication about city matters; the commission discussed the possibility of a newsletter. Resident Jim Buist said he worried septic or runoff from the proposed split could enter his yard. Wight responded that the septic system includes a backup that, he said, would likely never need to be used and that this backup addresses Buist’s concern.

After discussion, Commissioner Melissa Porter moved to recommend approval of the Oswald (Moose Hollow) lot split and to forward the proposal to the Administrative Land Use Authority; Commissioner Dana Myers seconded the motion. The commission recorded the vote as "All in favor." The recommendation to ALUA was approved.

Next steps: the commission forwarded the lot split recommendation to ALUA for final administrative action and any additional technical review.