May Smith, zoning administrator for Crawford County, presented a short plat to the commission that would formalize residual lots in Oak Ridge Estates, a subdivision near the West Fourth and Highway 7 intersection.

Smith said the short plat cleans up a leftover parcel originally platted in 1998 and would leave the Fox family living on one lot while converting the remaining parcel into a lot that Dennis Meyer plans to take ownership of and list for sale. Utilities and water are in place, and Smith said the applicant intends to add a short cul-de-sac, called Birdsong Lane, to provide emergency access and driveway access to the two lots. Smith also said the Oak Ridge homeowners association will be expanded to include the newly created lots.

Smith reported that two neighbors attended the planning and zoning hearing: Adam Parkland, who asked that roughly 100 acres nearby remain undeveloped because it lies in a flood zone, and Chuck Martin, who raised questions about private covenants recorded on his property that Smith said were not within the scope of the county’s planning review. Smith told the commission those concerns were unrelated to the short plat and said the parties planned to address covenant questions privately.

Commissioners asked about road access and whether the county would eventually accept the existing Terrapin Road; Smith said Terrapin Road has been in place for many years and would likely be handled later if the subdivision sought county acceptance. The commission moved and seconded the short-plat approval during the meeting and recorded an affirmative vote of "Aye"; the transcript does not show a full roll-call tally.

Smith recommended approval, noting the design retained existing utilities and the cul-de-sac would meet emergency access needs. The commission’s paperwork will formalize the change to the subdivision map if the resolution is processed according to county procedures.