Planner reports on Millard Road wetlands, developer concerns and upcoming staffing changes

City Planner Jacob Grama updated the council on July 16 about a deed notice related to wetlands on the Millard Road property, developer concerns that the notice might affect lending or future regulation, and staffing changes in the planning department.

Jacob Grama said the county land‑use approval for a hospital years ago required a recorded deed notice for wetlands that applies to the southerly third of the property. He said the city now owns the northern two thirds and that the deed notice was intended as a notice to future owners rather than as a new regulatory overlay. “One of the conditions from the county land use decision was a document to be recorded on the deed that basically acknowledged, hey. There's wetlands here,” Grama said.

Why it matters: A selected developer has raised concerns that the deed notice and wetlands designations could slow design and financing. Grama said staff does not believe the notice imposes new regulation beyond existing state and federal requirements, but acknowledged the notice has raised lender and developer questions that staff will continue to address in coordination with the city’s real‑estate contact.

Staffing and workload

Grama told council that a planning staff member (referred to in the discussion as Jenny) has signaled a planned departure and that the planner will be the primary remaining planner during the interim. He said current‑planning duties will be prioritized while larger projects may be delayed until a replacement is hired or the workload eases. “The biggest impact… is project time,” Grama said, noting previous periods when a single planner handled a heavy permit load.

Grama also flagged upcoming regulatory work the department must complete, including a housing needs analysis update due within roughly a year and transportation planning projects. He said the city could delay the housing needs analysis based on consultant advice and the department’s current capacity, but emphasized it will be a major effort when initiated.

Ending: Grama said staff will continue to respond to developer and title‑company questions about the Millard Road deed notice and will present updates about staffing, timelines and any permit impacts at future meetings.