Planning commission approves sidewalk variance for Mill Park Drive subdivision

The Lancaster City Planning Commission on Jan. 9 unanimously approved a variance to the city’s sidewalk requirement for a proposed minor subdivision on Mill Park Drive. Chasilyn Carter introduced case 2025.001, saying “the petitioner has requested to split a 3.555-acre lot on Mill Park Drive.”

Curt Shonk, representing Engineering, told the commission there are no sidewalks nearby and “currently, there is no connectivity with sidewalks and no plans in the foreseeable future for connectivity.” He said that lack of nearby infrastructure was a factor in the variance request and noted the situation could prompt a future change to the code or referral to the Board of Zoning Appeals.

Member Rick Wilkins moved to approve the variance; member Jan Coccia seconded. The commission recorded a unanimous vote to approve the variance as submitted and the motion carried.

The vote resolved the variance request for the minor subdivision; no public proponents or opponents spoke during the hearing. The commission took no additional conditions beyond the approved variance during the session.