Planning commission continues Ponderosa subdivision to June 12 after drainage and street‑placement questions

The Morgan County Planning Commission on May 8 voted unanimously to continue consideration of the Ponderosa subdivision to its June 12 meeting after staff said required drainage and water‑pressure calculations and a review of street location were not submitted in time.

The continuance came after multiple residents told the commission they fear the proposed road alignment and added impervious surface will worsen flooding and reduce safety. Staff said the developer has a new applicant and that more engineering information is expected before the item is ready for final action.

Josh, Morgan County zoning staff, told the commission, “The location of the street, will definitely be 1 of the items addressed. The drainage, we have been requesting, drainage calcs for, over a year and a half.” He said county engineering and fire review had not received the promised calculations in time for the May packet and that staff wants the outstanding material before moving the application forward.

Residents addressed the commission during the public‑comment portion. Dana Bauer, who identified herself as a nearby resident, said, “this is the third time that our community has come out to speak up against this, and it's been moved. And it feels as though we're being discouraged from coming here at this point.” Robert Bunnell, who said he purchased his lot in 2017, described flooding concerns and said, “adding a bunch of impervious surfaces on this big old drainage that that was already flooding is very concerning to me, especially being directly across the street with deep window wells.”

Commissioners moved and seconded the continuance. Member Wilson moved to continue the item to June 12; member King seconded. The commission recorded the motion as carried unanimously.

Staff told the public that Ponderosa is an administrative item and that, if the application meets code and outstanding engineering items are stipulated to be completed before final plat, staff will recommend approval. County staff also advised residents that final plat approval goes directly to the county commission and that the planning commission’s action is a recommendation when the item is administrative.

Members of the public were given a phone number to check status before the June meeting: (801) 845-4015. The commission scheduled the item for June 12 so staff can receive and circulate the missing engineering materials to county reviewers before the next hearing.