Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Drainage Water Fortieth Ave topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board defers Ensler/Ensler Estates plat after landowners, staff flag drainage and water-supply concerns
Summary
Meade County planners deferred the Ensler Estates preliminary plat after neighbors and staff raised drainage and water-supply issues at Fortieth Avenue and Highway 34.
The Planning Board on Monday deferred action on the Ensler Estates preliminary plat (lots formed from a 40-acre parcel off Highway 34) after staff and adjacent landowners raised concerns about drainage at the approach from Fortieth Avenue and about water availability and quality.
Several nearby owners testified about standing and flowing water that crosses Fortieth Avenue during wet periods. Commenters said existing culverts under the county road do not handle runoff and that water sometimes overtops the road. A landowner, Gary Kinsler, provided photos and said the culverts “can’t handle the runoff” and that the county routinely deals with water running over the road in the spring. Planning staff confirmed public comments and said staff needs fuller drainage analysis and, for water, either a firm letter of service from Bear Butte Valley Water or engineering on a private system because a recent water test indicated contamination and treatment would likely be required.
Board members asked the proponent to obtain specific engineering on culvert sizing and drainage routing and to secure clear confirmation from the water supplier (Bear Butte Valley Water) about the ability to serve the lots or to demonstrate an acceptable private-water plan including storage and treatment where needed. The developer said he can work with staff and engineers to address the issues and asked to defer to July so those questions can be resolved.
The board voted unanimously to postpone the plat to the July meeting to allow the applicant to provide additional hydrologic and water-supply documentation. Staff said it will request drainage calculations for the culverts and guidance on whether road improvements or larger culverts are required before approval; it also indicated concerns about water quality that may necessitate treatment systems or connection to a public supplier before houses are permitted.
The deferral preserves the applicant’s ability to return at the July meeting with engineering and service letters and avoids proceeding without critical drainage and water-supply assurances.
