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Board adopts tougher subdivision construction standards: thicker asphalt, no soil-cement option
Summary
Harrison County supervisors approved updated land-subdivision design and construction requirements for new developments that have not yet received approved engineering plans: increased asphalt section depth, removal of soil-cement as an option and requirement that roads be completed to finished pavement before final acceptance.
The board approved an update to the county's land-subdivision design sequence and general construction requirements to address recurring road performance problems in new subdivisions.
Under the new rules, any development or phase that has not yet received approved construction plans must meet the updated standards: a thicker asphalt section designed to withstand construction traffic, removal of soil-cement base as an allowed option, and an increased emphasis on completing the entire road section (including final surface) before county acceptance of the roadway.
County staff said the changes respond to repeated maintenance issues with soil-cement bases and with subdivisions that were not fully paved before being turned over to the county. Staff said the new approach should reduce claims and the county's repeated rework by requiring a more durable pavement structure up front and stronger proof-roll/testing processes. The board included a requirement to charge a fee for proof-roll testing to discourage repeated inspections and to encourage developers to comply on the first attempt.
Supervisors emphasized that the new requirements apply only to subdivisions that do not yet have construction-plan approval; projects already past that stage can opt in to the new standard but are not being forced to change.
The board approved the changes by voice vote and directed staff to implement the new checklist and fee schedule for incoming plan reviews.
