Commission approves Olsen Orchards preliminary subdivision; conditions Lot 304 for storm drainage

The Perry City Planning Commission voted May 1 to approve the preliminary subdivision application for Olsen Orchards, a development governed by an existing development agreement, with a condition reserving Lot 304 for stormwater detention.

City staff member Bob briefed commissioners that Olsen Orchards covers roughly 69 acres bounded by 3600 South, Highway 89 and 1200 West and that the adopted development agreement already establishes many requirements for the project. He said the development agreement calls for 133 single‑family lots and 75 townhome units. Bob told the commission the applicant had secured easements under the railroad to run sewer and had begun upsizing a main line in 1200 West.

Why it matters: the vote advances a large, multi‑phase subdivision that requires coordinated sewer, stormwater and roadway improvements; the commission attached a specific stormwater requirement for the final plat to ensure on‑site detention.

Key details: staff flagged stormwater as the major outstanding issue. The southern portion of the project included an on‑site detention basin; staff said the northern half had been shown previously to discharge; applicant representatives said Lot 304 will be converted to a detention basin so the northern area no longer directly discharges. Bob told the commission that final construction drawings and engineering calculations will be required in the final application and that some lots might be removed to accommodate ponds.

Applicant representative Alex Owens told the commission the applicant had coordinated sewer easements under Union Pacific and UTA and begun upsizing the main in 1200 West to avoid repaving over new work. The commission’s motion approving the preliminary plat included a requirement that Lot 304 be used for storm drainage in the final plat and that the lot be "determined adequate by the engineers." The motion passed unanimously (Commissioners Kerr, White, Broadhead, Wager and Vaughn voted yes).

Other notes: the development agreement specifies architectural transitions — shorter buildings at the ends of rows and taller in the center — and the commission discussed right‑of‑way widths, private vs. public streets, and the need to vacate a portion of Hargas Hill Road before final plat recording. Bob said the townhome landscape plan met requirements but that final plans will need minor updates (walkway alignment and other redline items).