Commission considers 15,000-sq.-ft. minimum lot rule in subdivision overhaul

The St. Clair County Commission debated a draft overhaul of subdivision regulations that would require a 15,000-square-foot minimum lot size and add provisions for health-department compliance, grandfathering for two identified subdivisions and an administrative variance process.

County Engineer Clay Phillips told the commission the changes largely track prior drafts but noted one key change: “the size of the lots are gonna be a minimum of 15,000.” Commissioners and attendees spent more than an hour probing how the rule would affect septic systems, bonding, and whether homeowners associations (HOAs) or property owners would bear long-term maintenance responsibility for engineered septic packages.

Developers and a local Realtor urged caution. One resident and member of a real-estate association said the change “would directly impact my livelihood” and warned that raising minimum lot sizes could price out first-time buyers and slow job-driven housing demand. Commissioners discussed a 90-day savings window for projects that have made substantial investments, with an option to expand that window by administrative action or through a formal variance.

County legal counsel and staff said the draft will include clearer disclosure language on plat filings and a process for administrative review. The commission agreed in the work session to place the regulation on Tuesday’s agenda for a vote or further motion, with the expectation the document remains amendable and that staff will meet developers and municipal leaders for last-minute clarifications before any final action.