Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Minor Subdivision topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning Commission approves two-lot split for Gambier property; zoning certificate for new home tabled pending site survey
Summary
The Gambier Planning Commission unanimously approved a two-lot minor subdivision for parcels owned by David Engle and tabled a zoning certificate for a proposed house on one of the new lots until a site-location survey is provided; resident concerns about density and a proposed flag lot were raised during public comment.
The Gambier Village Planning Commission on Feb. 17 unanimously approved a minor subdivision that splits two lots from a 3.042-acre property owned by David Engle. Chair Morgan Giles called the vote after commissioners reviewed lot-size requirements; Mayor Leeman Kessler moved to approve the two lot splits and Giles seconded. The motion passed 5-0.
Engle described the proposal as an incremental subdivision that would create Tract 1 (a 0.577-acre parcel containing an existing house) and Tract 4 (a 0.466-acre parcel proposed for a new residence). He said the property has been in his family for many years and that creating “long-term rental homes would create a revenue stream to help maintain the family farm.”
During public comment, resident Read Baldwin asked why the lot splits are being completed incrementally when the full plan appears on the boundary survey and expressed concern about housing density and the proposed flag lot, stating a preference for owner-occupied properties over rental housing. Baldwin also asked whether Tract 4 could be shifted east; Engle said he would consult with the builder about that possibility.
Chair Giles responded that the commission must apply the current zoning code, which permits a minimum lot size of 7,000 square feet, and noted the former code referenced density but the present code does not. Mayor Kessler said permeability and stormwater considerations will be addressed during later review and that a flag lot would require conditional-use approval at the appropriate stage.
Separately, Engle requested a zoning certificate to construct a house on Tract 4 and said the first home is anticipated to cost about $380,000, would not include a garage, and would use a gravel driveway to reduce permeability impacts. Commissioners requested a site location survey showing the proposed house and driveway placement relative to property lines. Mayor Kessler moved to table the zoning-certificate application until the March meeting pending submission of the requested survey; Giles seconded and the motion passed 5-0.
Next steps: the approved lot splits are recorded as meeting action but further development of Tract 4 hinges on Engle providing the site-location survey and any required conditional-use approval for the flag lot; Engle said he will return for additional approvals if he proceeds with subsequent lots or construction.
