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Buena Vista staff unveil draft Development Infrastructure Manual to standardize streets, utilities and permitting
Summary
Town staff introduced a draft Development Infrastructure Manual on March 11 to provide engineers, builders and residents a single reference for street cross-sections, utility placement, sidewalk standards and permitting steps; the manual will be posted for public review and proceed through Planning & Zoning and trustee hearings.
Buena Vista staff introduced a draft Development Infrastructure Manual during the March 11, 2025 meeting as a consolidated technical and procedural guide for developers, engineers and town reviewers.
The manual assembles design standards and procedural guidance that staff said will reduce ambiguity for applicants and shorten review timelines. Key topics in the draft include pre-application meeting guidance, application submittal checklists, public hearing procedures, standard street cross-sections, stormwater and drainage notes, and water utility design standards.
Town staff described standard street cross-sections: local streets envisioned as roughly 36 feet curb-to-curb (two 10-foot travel lanes plus two 8-foot parallel parking lanes and detached sidewalks), with collectors sized larger and including dedicated bike lanes. The manual also contains construction and testing specifications (compaction testing, curb and gutter details), water main and meter details, fire hydrant specifications and recommendations on where to use ductile iron versus plastic pipe.
Public works and utility staff emphasized the manual is intended as a default specification set that reduces repeated one-off negotiations and clarifies the town's expectations for public improvements. Mark and Sean (public works and water staff) participated in drafting the water and street sections, and staff said the manual will be posted online for public review before formal adoption. The manual is a living document, staff said, and staff will take feedback from Planning & Zoning and the Board of Trustees with subsequent edits and possible code amendments where necessary.
No formal action was taken March 11; staff asked trustees to accept the draft for public distribution and to direct staff to schedule public hearings with Planning & Zoning and the Board of Trustees. Staff said adoption will be similar to the recent building-code update: public review, Planning & Zoning hearing, and trustee consideration, followed by an ordinance and standard publication timeline.
Ending
Staffers said the manual is intended to offer clarity to future applicants and reduce rework in permitting by presenting a coordinated "how-to" for site design, utilities and street construction.
