Commission approves two‑lot subdivision off Liliana Way but rejects waiver to remove curbing

The City Plan Commission approved a two‑lot subdivision near Liliana Way but denied the applicant’s request to waive curbing along the new public roadway, citing concerns about runoff, maintenance and consistency with surrounding recently developed streets.

Attorney John Mancini, representing the applicant, asked the commission to waive two subdivision rules to allow a hammerhead turnaround instead of a 35‑foot cul‑de‑sac and to eliminate curbing on the short extension. Mancini told the board the applicant viewed the stub primarily as a short driveway serving two lots and that the lots would be privately maintained if allowed. "It's not really the applicant views that as a paper road... it's really more as a driveway to these two lots because it's not a long roadway," Mancini said.

Public Works Director Carrero and other city staff opposed the curbing waiver. Carrero told the commission that the rest of the Liliana Way development includes curbing and that curbing helps retain stormwater in the roadway and reduce debris entering the proposed underground infiltration system at the end of the stub. "The more debris we can keep out of that, the easier it's gonna be for the city if we ultimately take over responsibility to maintain that," Carrero said.

Planning staff recommended approval of the subdivision and supported the hammerhead in place of a full cul‑de‑sac, noting that the hammerhead would reduce impervious area and maintenance costs. Staff also included conditions addressing engineering, bonds for the public road and easement language to assure future maintenance of the turnaround.

During public comment, a Liliana Way resident said construction activity began early and without a police detail on one occasion and that vehicles had been blocking a fire hydrant; the public works director confirmed the contractor holds a right‑of‑way permit for sewer work but said work before the city's 7:00 a.m. start could be a violation and should be reported for enforcement.

The commission voted to approve the subdivision and the hammerhead waiver but expressly declined to grant the waiver from the curbing requirement. A motion to approve staff’s recommendation with the exception that the curbing waiver not be granted passed on a voice vote.

The approval requires the applicant to meet staff conditions at final plan, to provide required easements and bonds, and to comply with any state and utility permits before construction.