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Commission approves annexation and preliminary plat for Stonebridge Phase 4; commissioners flag cul-de-sac grade and width
Summary
The Planning and Zoning Commission approved annexation of 43.68 acres for Stonebridge and accepted the Phase 4 preliminary plat, while flagging cul-de-sac width and grade concerns that staff and the developer agreed to review.
The Planning and Zoning Commission approved annexation of 43.68 acres for the Stonebridge development and voted to accept the preliminary plat for Stonebridge Phase 4 during its March 10, 2025 meeting.
The approvals covered file number 25-0302 (annexation of 43.68 acres) and the preliminary plat filed as 25-3003 for Stonebridge Phase 4. Commissioner Carolyn Witt moved to approve the annexation and Commissioner Chuck Watson seconded; the commission then voted in favor. Commissioner Mark Kliesner moved to approve the preliminary plat for Phase 4; the motion was seconded by Chuck Watson and the commission voted in favor.
Why it matters: the actions close a remaining developable “donut hole” in the Stonebridge area and allow construction of the last phases of a multi-year subdivision, adding new single-family lots to the city inventory.
Staff member Sarah said, “Our donut hole is closing. We have the last 43.68 acres, to develop.” The staff presentation said Phase 4 will be zoned R-1D and maintain the same minimum lot size and lot-width standards as prior phases (7,500 square-foot minimum lots; 60-foot lot width). The preliminary plat documents show Phase 4 consisting of 49 new lots and Phase 5 consisting of 50 lots; the commission considered Phase 4 for approval and discussed how Phase 4 will connect to earlier phases and to Fox Crest via Fielders Close and Timber Creek.
Commissioners and staff focused much of the discussion on five proposed new cul-de-sacs, one of which is roughly 200 feet in length and would be built with a 30-foot back-of-curb-to-back-of-curb width instead of the 35-foot width the city usually requires. Staff noted the code permits a 30-foot width when the cul-de-sac serves fewer than 10 units and is under 700 feet in length. Staff also flagged a proposed roadway grade that reaches 12%, exceeding the typical 10% limit in code and prompting concerns about emergency access and maintenance.
Commissioner Chuck Watson described operational concerns from fire and public works: snowplows and ladder trucks have difficulty on steep cul-de-sacs where crews must stop and then re‑start on a slope. An engineer for the applicant, Cameron of Wonderlic Survey and Engineering, explained the difference between percent and degrees of slope and said the profile for the cul-de-sac shows a 2% cross slope, a 5% tangent and then the vertical point of intersection; he said the proposed alignment “is not gonna be anything like” very steep commercial examples the commission discussed.
Developer Vic Horschcamp said the city should consider the cumulative cost of requirements to developers and suggested a steering committee to work through connectivity and design guidelines (see separate article on connectivity). Staff and the applicant agreed to review the cul-de-sac geometry and grade to ensure the final construction plans meet operational needs or identify any necessary adjustments.
Ending: The commission approved the annexation and the preliminary plat for Stonebridge Phase 4; staff will follow up with the applicant on detailed roadway grades, the cul-de-sac cross section and fire access requirements before final platting.
