Planning Commission gives preliminary OK to Book Cliff subdivision with demolition, drainage and utility conditions

The City of Green River Planning Commission on Sept. 16 granted preliminary, phased approval to the Book Cliff Subdivision contingent on a set of conditions that must be met before final plat approval.

Commissioner Kim McFarland and other commissioners voted to approve the preliminary, phased plan after city staff and consultants outlined outstanding engineering, safety and environmental items that must be resolved. The motion carried following a voice vote recorded in the meeting as multiple “aye” responses; the transcript records three affirmative responses and the chair declaring the motion carried.

Why it matters: The project would subdivide a former motel site into roughly 30 residential lots and mixed-use parcels along 70 Business Loop/Main Street, convert existing asphalt to new homes and open space, and require coordination with state and county agencies. Commissioners and staff said the conditions are intended to ensure public safety, stormwater control and utility service before any lots are recorded or homes built.

City staff member David (city staff engineer) told commissioners the largest missing item in the preliminary submission is a complete storm-drainage design. "The biggest one that this plan is missing is the storm drainage," he said, noting the project must show how runoff will be retained, sized to applicable storm events and tied into the existing east-side storm drain.

Paul Sims, an engineer working with the developer, and Connie, the developer’s representative, told the commission they will update plans and that asbestos removal and demolition permits are in process. Connie said an environmental contractor expects to complete asbestos removal within about two weeks and that a demolition permit can follow, allowing the buildings to be removed before final approval.

Commission discussion and staff recommendations focused on the following outstanding items the commission required as conditions before final plat recordation or as conditions of preliminary approval: revised utility and curb details showing locations and cross sections; written approvals or clearances from the county health department/DEQ for culinary water and sewer connections; fire protection details including hydrant locations and required fire flow data (staff said hydrants must be sited such that every home is within 500 feet of a hydrant with acceptable access); a complete storm drainage report and engineered detention-basin sizing (staff cited the need to size basins to the 100-year one‑hour storm, with the 50-year one‑hour allowed for certain rational method calculations); FEMA floodplain documentation and elevation certificates for homes in FEMA Zone A; a title report and county tax clearance to show no liens or back taxes; grading plans and plan profile sheets showing water/sewer locations and depths; details showing how the subdivision will tie into the existing east storm drain that discharges to the river; a pedestrian crossing/crosswalk design across the highway (to meet UDOT and city standards); and a safety barrier along the highway edge (the commission discussed at least a 4-foot block wall or equivalent to prevent vehicle intrusion into homes).

Staff and commissioners also raised lot-specific and utility easement issues: Lot 14 contains a 20-foot power easement shown as existing underground power that may constrain development and must be resolved or revised on the final plans. Commission members and staff recommended that any easement modifications be documented before final platting.

Environmental and site‑history concerns were discussed. A consultant noted prior brownfield work in nearby areas and warned the developer that close proximity to the water table could raise petroleum contamination issues in soils or groundwater; the commission advised sampling and potential mitigation where excavation or subsurface work will approach the water table. Staff also noted the prior site will require asbestos abatement prior to demolition and said DEQ/air quality coordination is under way.

On phasing the project, staff said the application should include a phasing plan that clearly separates phase 1 improvements (single‑family lots and required demolition) from phase 2 (possible multifamily/stacked townhomes or mixed‑use). Commissioners asked that demolition of the pool‑room structures and other nuisance buildings be completed as part of the initial demolition work rather than left to an indefinite later phase; the approved preliminary, phased plan includes that requirement.

Votes at a glance - Preliminary approval — Book Cliff Subdivision (phased plan with conditions): Approved (motion carried; transcript records three recorded “aye” responses). The mover and seconder were not recorded by name in the meeting transcript excerpt.

What happens next: The developer must return with revised plans that address the listed conditions. Staff emphasized that final plat approval and recording cannot occur until the demolition and all technical conditions—including drainage calculations, utility details, required agency approvals and title/tax clearances—are satisfied and the requisite city, county and agency sign-offs obtained.

Meeting chronology: The item was introduced early in the hearing, followed by a detailed staff engineering review, developer comments on demolition timing and multiple commissioner questions. After a motion to approve with the enumerated conditions and a second, the commission voted in favor and the chair declared the motion carried.