De Soto City Council adopts residential code amendments, approves two rezonings for Arbor Ridge expansion

The De Soto City Council voted June 18 to adopt local amendments tied to the 2018 International Residential Code and approved two separate rezoning ordinances that advance the Arbor Ridge subdivision expansion.

City staff presented Ordinance 2689, a set of targeted amendments prompted by state Senate Bill 418 and local building-safety goals. Key changes include requiring a two-hour fire separation between two-family dwellings, installing 0.5-inch drywall under staircases for added protection, requiring interconnected heat detectors in attached garages, and adopting stricter provisions for residential energy storage systems to reduce fire risk. Staff said builders surveyed estimated the changes would add less than $1,000 to the cost of a new home on average.

Councilmember discussion centered on qualifications, safety benefits and cost implications. After debate the council adopted Ordinance 2689 on a roll-call vote (one member recorded a no vote).

Separately, the council approved Ordinance 2690 rezoning 22 acres along 89th Street from R-1 to R-1A (moderate-density single-family) and Ordinance 2691 rezoning 14 acres in the same corridor from R-1 to R-2 (allowing duplexes). Staff described planned road and bridge improvements, sewer service plans and that the rezonings are intended to integrate the new phases with the existing Arbor Ridge neighborhood. Developer Rick Odo said construction of earlier phases is under way and the developer plans to begin improvements for the 89th Street access and bridge when phase permits and design are complete.

All rezoning motions carried in roll-call votes.