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St. Clair County to consider 15,000-sq-ft minimum lot size in proposed subdivision rules
Summary
The St. Clair County commission discussed a proposed ordinance to set a 15,000-square-foot minimum lot size in unincorporated areas, with limited grandfathering and an administrative variance process; supporters cited quality-of-life concerns while builders and a Realtor warned it could curtail affordable housing and slow job growth.
The St. Clair County Commission debated placing proposed subdivision regulations that would set a 15,000-square-foot minimum lot size for new subdivisions in unincorporated parts of the county on the agenda for a vote Tuesday. Commissioners described the draft as a living document that includes variances and a limited grandfathering process for developments that can document prior investment.
Supporters said the change is intended to slow unmanaged growth and protect quality of life. "Slowing down the growth from a fiscal and from a quality-of-life issue is not all bad," the chair said while urging a careful rollout. The draft identifies two subdivisions to be grandfathered if they can show demonstrable past investment: Lake Village on 231 and Mil Creek Crossings on Roberts Mill Pond Road.
Opponents, including a speaker identifying herself as a member of the Realtors association, argued the minimum would make development less affordable and cut off entry-level housing and job-growth opportunities. "If you put 15,000 square feet, that restricts growth and it's going to shut down some growth," the Realtor said, adding that the change could directly affect livelihoods and local builders.
County staff explained administrative safeguards in the draft: a 90-day window for developments already in process to request grandfathering and an administrative application process for other projects that have made significant investments. Commissioners discussed extending the 90-day window and the role of the county engineer in reviewing ingress/egress and health-department compliance (septic/perk requirements). The draft calls for health-department approval of on-site systems and contemplates a disclosure on plats to alert buyers that engineered systems may require private maintenance.
The commission repeatedly emphasized that variances remain available and that the document can be amended as the county grows. Commissioners also noted limits on county authority for sewer and septic issues in unincorporated areas; staff said where engineered systems fail the financial responsibility would generally flow back to lot owners or homeowners associations, though the county might have to intervene for health-and-safety emergencies.
The commission indicated it will place the regulations on next Tuesday's agenda for an up-or-down vote unless commissioners move to table the item. If adopted, staff noted portions of the rules will not take effect immediately and typical post-adoption notice and recording timelines will apply.
