Panel approves variance to split 0.44-acre parcel into two single-family lots

Members at a meeting voted to approve a variance allowing a 0.44-acre parcel to be divided into two single-family lots, the chair said. The motion passed by roll call after members discussed subdivision triggers that would have required including a neighboring house and adding stormwater infrastructure.

The presenter said the plan is "to create 2 single family residential lots" and that each new lot would be roughly 0.22 acres and would have a single-family home. He told the group the property is undergoing rezoning from multifamily (RM8) to single-family (RS5) and said planning commission review is underway, with council readings to follow.

Staff and members raised questions about precedent and whether granting the variance would encourage repeated lot-splitting to avoid subdivision rules. A staff member noted a similar approval in the past year and suggested the municipality consider setting a time limit on splits; the presenter said the current split occurred about 14 years ago. The staff member also explained that combining the existing neighboring house into a plat would create three lots and trigger subdivision and stormwater management requirements.

The chair made the motion to approve the variance; a second was recorded and a roll-call vote resulted in affirmative responses recorded by the chair. The motion carried. The meeting proceeded to the next agenda item.