A request from Ocoee Mountain Club developers to adjust a previously approved plat was tabled by the planning commission last Tuesday. A final plat for Phase 6 of the development was also presented.

Developers requested a variance for the front yard setbacks of Phase 2, which was recorded in August of 2007. Subdivision regulations require homes to be set back 35 feet; the request was to make the setback 20 feet.

Developers told the commission there were property owners requesting the variance in order to build closer to the road. Several of the 28 lots are on a ridge, making it difficult to build without having to either raise the house to meet the road or have the driveways going downhill, potentially causing trouble in bad weather. Of the 28 lots in Phase 2, 26 have already been sold.

Register of Deeds Kandi Bramlett told the commission she had spoken with county attorney Denny Mobbs about the issue and he told her it would be up to the individual property owners to come before the board to request the variances since the plat had already been approved and recorded and the land no longer belonged to Ocoee Mountain Club. Planning Board Chairman Laura Crawford said the builder could potentially come as a representative of the propertyowner, but the owner would have to file the request. Crawford said she would get a written opinion from Mobbs.

A final plat for Ocoee Mountain Club’s 68-lot Phase 6 was approved pending receipt of the bonds for roads and sewer. A letter was submitted with the plat stating the bond would be in effect as of October 1. “Keep in mind we do not have the bond in hand,” Bramlett said.

John Pippenger asked how the bonds were set up and if it was normal to have the bonds together. A single amount was listed on the plat for both the road and water bonds. Developer Paul Fetzner said the $90,000 bond he currently had with Benton Mayor Jerry Stephens would roll over to cover the sewer in phase 6. Bramlett said previous plats specified amounts for roads and water.

Crawford said she did could not sign off on the plat without the bonds in hand. Fetzner said they would revise the plat to reflect the amount of the bonds. Daren Waters made a motion to approve Phase 6 pending receipt of the bonds. Crawford, Dillard and Waters voted to approve; Bramlett and Pippenger voted against.

In other business, commissioners asked for a preliminary plat from Dwayne Lewis to be resubmitted next month. Lewis said his surveyor did not receive the recommendations from State Planner Shannon Copas and was not able to make corrections.