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Commission hears draft subdivision rules proposing 15,000 sq ft minimum lots; developers and realtors warn of affordability hit
Summary
County staff presented draft subdivision regulations that would set 15,000 square-foot minimum lots with variance and grandfathering provisions; commissioners moved to place the draft on Tuesday's agenda after public concerns about affordability, sewer/perk challenges and grandfathering windows.
County staff presented a draft of new subdivision regulations that would set a minimum lot size of 15,000 square feet for new subdivisions in unincorporated Saint Clair County, with limited grandfathering and an administrative variance process.
Clay Phillips, the county engineer, described the core change in simple terms: "the size of the lots are gonna be a minimum of 15,000." The draft includes two subdivisions—Lakemont Village on 231 and Mill Creek Crossings on Robes Mill Pond Road—that staff proposes to grandfather, and a proposed 90-day 'savings' window (subject to extension) to allow projects already under development to request administrative relief.
Proponents said the changes respond to growth pressures and aim to protect infrastructure and rural character. Staff proposed requiring all lots to meet health department regulations for septic systems and said engineered package systems would be subject to assignment of long-term maintenance responsibilities back to homeowners or HOAs when appropriate.
At the same time, developers, realtors and some commissioners raised concerns about unintended economic and legal consequences. A real estate professional who identified herself as a member of the local association of realtors warned the rule would "directly impact my livelihood" and affect "thousands of others" by cutting entry-level housing supply. Commissioners asked staff about disclosure to buyers, the role of HOAs, and how the county would handle failing package septic systems if a private owner or developer ceases to exist.
Staff and the county attorney outlined an administrative process for variance requests and said the draft could be amended after initial adoption. Chair (speaker 2) said the document would be placed on the commission agenda for a vote next Tuesday with the understanding that it is a living document and could change later.
Next steps: the commission agreed to put the draft on the Tuesday agenda for consideration and possible vote, and staff said it would continue outreach to developers, homebuilders and municipal partners about the proposed changes.
