Commissioners debate 8,000–15,000 sq ft options as draft sets 11,500-sq-ft average

Chair opened the work session calling it “a called meeting of the county commission specifically to address our move towards having some kind of subdivision regulations,” and introduced Dan Dahlke to present the draft rules.

Dahlke summarized the document’s approach to lot size: “we came up with an average of 11,500 square feet, for each, basically, sector of a subdivision, and lots would not be less,” he told the commission. The draft would also include an 8,000-square-foot floor for single lots in some scenarios, a figure several commissioners and residents said is too small to mitigate short-term service impacts.

Municipal officials and local residents urged higher minimums. A municipal representative noted Pell City receives a large share of county students and that short-term school capacity strains matter even if state funding “follows the child.” Another attendee, speaking as a longtime resident, told commissioners the county should consider a 15,000-sq-ft minimum in some areas to avoid creating burdens on schools, police and fire services.

Supporters of smaller lots warned that higher minimums could make development infeasible and send builders to neighboring counties. A private-sector participant said developers “take a lot of risk” and that reducing allowable density could make projects economically unviable.

The commission did not vote. The chair said the draft will be revised, that the document is a work in progress, and that the commission will continue discussions in future meetings before any adoption vote.