Stevensville conditions Twin Creeks Phase 2 final plat on written DEQ extension

The Stevensville Town Council on Oct. 9 approved the final plat for Twin Creeks Phase 2 on the condition that the developer supply written documentation showing the Department of Environmental Quality extended its approval to Jan. 16, 2026.

Council members pressed for documentary proof after town packet materials included a DEQ approval letter dated June 13, 2022 that states construction must be completed within three years of that approval or plans must be resubmitted. Developer representatives told the council DEQ had been aware of ongoing construction and that the project had an extension into January 2026, but the extension letter was not in the packet. The council made approval conditional on receiving the DEQ paperwork.

The condition matters because the DEQ approval letter in the packet explicitly links the approval date to a three-year construction window. Council member discussion noted a prior town extension tied to the final plat and the developer’s filing fee, and asked staff to confirm the record. Town staff and the developer said they would provide the DEQ extension documentation; the motion approved the plat “upon conditions” that the paperwork is provided.

Developer and consultant remarks: Max Holmes, the developer’s representative, and Ron York of PCI told the council they had been working with DEQ during construction. York said the town’s records showed plat approval extending until mid-January 2026 and that DEQ staff had inspected the site and requested changes early in the work. Holmes and York offered to provide the extension letter to the town.

Site inspections and infrastructure: Staff member Steve reported a recent walk-through found the curb and sidewalks in good condition, pressure tests for the water system passing, and E. coli testing returned satisfactory results. He described only a short punch list of minor items and recommended proceeding once the DEQ documentation is received.

Park dedication and funding: The final plat includes a park dedication provision and a cash-in-lieu payment of $11,410. Heidi Motley, speaking on behalf of a park advisory committee member, asked that the $11,410 be deposited into a park-dedicated account or certificate of deposit rather than the town’s general fund so the money is available for park or pool repairs. The council acknowledged the request and noted the check had been dropped off.

Public-safety concern: Chief Motley (represented by Heidi Motley at the meeting) requested a fire hydrant at the end of Blacksmith Lane, noting the distance from the nearest hydrant exceeds a thousand feet along the cul-de-sac. Council members and staff said they would pass the concern to the town engineers for evaluation.

Developer concessions and guarantees: Council members and staff noted the developer had offered to install pressure pumps for homes in Phase 2 if needed and provided a letter offering up to $50,000 to assist with a lift station in the future.

Council action and next steps: The council voted to approve the final plat conditioned on receipt of the DEQ extension letter to Jan. 16, 2026. The town indicated it could process the approval once the paperwork is submitted and discussed the possibility of a special meeting if staff receive the documents within the relevant filing window. The council also noted the developer had paid the filing fee (which starts statutory timeframes tied to plat filings).

The council’s conditional approval keeps the project moving while requiring the record that triggered the discussion. The town will await the DEQ extension letter and related paperwork before completing the town’s final administrative steps on the plat.