Middleton planning commission unanimously recommends one-year extension for Sterling Lakes final plat

The Middleton Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously voted to recommend City Council approve a one-year modification to the Sterling Lakes development agreement, extending the deadline for submission of the phase 1 final plat from Sept. 1, 2025, to Sept. 1, 2026.

The request came from Derek Rush, a representative of Sterling Homes, who told commissioners the company is seeking “a buffer to ensure the project's quality isn't compromised by time constraints.” Rush said Sterling Homes has invested more than $10,000,000 in the Sterling Lakes project to date and described progress including grading, underground utilities, and bridge foundation work.

Planning staff noted the recorded development agreement (paragraph 3.6) allows the developer to request a one-year administrative extension if sought prior to the expiration of a previous extension. The developer had previously been granted an administrative extension that set the current deadline at Sept. 1, 2025.

Rush and other Sterling Homes staff described the principal cause for the request as manufacturing delays of specialized bridge decking. Rush said the decking uses a voided-slab design that must be prestressed and pretensioned; the project originally scheduled a January delivery but the manufacturer delayed production and the first of 15 slabs had only recently been poured with delivery and installation expected by June. Rush said other bridge work remaining after decking installation would include painting, paving, parapet walls and railing.

Members of the public raised questions during the hearing about access and fencing. John Mathiason (328 Atlantic Avenue) asked about egress and ingress and whether a neighboring development’s road would affect the Sterling Lakes access. Jim Gray (23557 Duff Lane) asked whether the ponds would remain aerated or become mosquito breeding habitat; the applicant replied the water is flowing and described measures taken for drainage and riprap. Douglas Briggs (292 Atlantic Avenue) asked about perimeter fencing; applicant representatives clarified the change described in the application related to an internal trail/visibility fence adjacent to the slough, not the existing perimeter fence along private property lines.

Commission discussion repeatedly cited substantial on-the-ground progress — grading, utilities and partial bridge work — and the technical complexity of the bridge as justification for the extension. Commissioner comments emphasized preference for the developer taking additional time rather than rushing work.

A motion to recommend approval of the one-year development agreement modification received a second and passed unanimously.

The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for final action.