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Port Orchard council approves final plat for The Ridge at Stetson Heights
Summary
On Feb. 11 the Port Orchard City Council approved a resolution granting final plat approval for The Ridge at Stetson Heights, a 108-lot subdivision, after staff described completed and bonded infrastructure and council members questioned stormwater controls.
Port Orchard — The Port Orchard City Council on Feb. 11 approved a resolution granting final plat approval for The Ridge at Stetson Heights, a subdivision that will create 108 single‑family residential lots, after a staff report and council questions about stormwater management and bonding.
City planning staff told the council the Ridge received preliminary plat approval on Dec. 6, 2022, and that a SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) mitigated determination of non‑significance was issued Oct. 7, 2022. Staff said initial grading occurred in 2018–2019 under a Land Disturbing Activity Permit, and that stormwater from the Ridge currently drains to four detention ponds constructed within the larger Stetson Heights development.
"The applicant has installed or bonded for roadway illumination, roads, sidewalks, landscaping, water and sewer, storm drainage improvements, signage, and other required improvements," city staff said in the report. Staff summarized proposed bonds and estimates: a $39,000 performance bond for temporary stormwater pond removal and final lot grading; a $148,900 landscape performance bond for common open space areas (to be completed within 100 days); a $556,378.50 landscape performance bond for finished lots (completed as homes are built); and a $1,000,000 supplemental bond to help close out land‑disturbing activity permits for the entire site. Staff also said existing bonds totaling about $1,300,000 remain in place for earlier divisions and that the new $1,000,000 is intended to supplement those older amounts.
Councilmember Chang pressed staff on past runoff problems seen during heavy storms and asked whether the remaining issues had been resolved. Planning staff said runoff that left a portion of the site during a recent storm did not leave the overall Stetson Heights perimeter and described required soil amendments, hydroseeding and plantings intended to stabilize soils and improve infiltration. Staff said common open space stabilization is required within 100 days under the bond agreement and that individual lots receive final soil work as houses are built.
Councilmember Chang moved to approve the resolution granting final plat; the motion was seconded and the council approved the final plat by voice vote. The council did not provide a roll‑call tally in the meeting record.
The final plat dedicates the subdivision’s infrastructure to the city and makes the streets public. Staff noted that final plat approval is a formality that certifies completion of requirements previously considered at the preliminary plat public hearing before the hearing examiner.
Clarifying details from the staff presentation include the 108 new lots, the SEPA mitigated determination date (Oct. 7, 2022), the preliminary plat approval date (Dec. 6, 2022), the list of bonds and the 100‑day timeline for common open space landscaping under the landscape performance bond. Staff estimated buildout of the subdivision could take about 18 months but said that timeline could accelerate depending on market conditions.
No amendments to the plat were recorded at the council meeting.
