Valley Center council approves roadway change order, rezoning, subdivision plat and several project payouts; tables Historical Society funding request

Valley Center—528 —6 At its meeting on April 2025, the Valley Center City Council approved a series of infrastructure and land-use items and tabled a funding request from the Valley Center Historical Society for further review. Key actions included a $108,645 change order for Third Street work in the 2025 roadway services contract, approval of a rezoning request for property at 135 North Ash for first reading, the final payout for Prairie Lakes Phase 4, approval of the Bobwhite subdivision plat in the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction, and several routine approvals and project motions.

The council also moved to table a request for up to $10,000 from the Valley Center Historical Society to replace windows in its historic building and asked staff to return with more detailed cost and advertising estimates at the April 15 meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Third Street change order (2025 roadway services project): Council approved change order 03/27/25 adding $108,645 to the contract (new contract value $392,220; total project including curb/gutter about $408,600). Motion carried on voice vote. Rodney (Streets Department) described pavement conditions discovered during curb removal that required full-depth base replacement and 5 inches of new asphalt on the east end to restore proper crown and flow line.

- Rezoning (Ordinance 1422-25) for 135 North Ash: Council approved first reading to rezone property from R-1B (single-family) to R-4 (high-density residential). The applicant intends to demolish the existing home and pursue two duplexes. The motion passed 6-1 (one recorded "no"); council discussion touched on parking and setbacks; staff said parking requirements (1.5 spaces per living unit) and other code parameters will be enforced when plans are submitted.

- Final payout, Prairie Lakes Phase 4: Council approved the final payment of $64,619.08 to close out Phase 4. Samantha Marie, the resident representative for the phase, reported one change order totaling $14,708.70 and that substantial completion occurred Oct. 1, 2024, with final completion Oct. 15, 2024.

- Bobwhite subdivision (final plat approval): The council approved the final plat for Bobwhite Subdivision, located in the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction and intended to remain county property. Planning and zoning reviewed the plat and staff noted the county will accept dedications and retain maintenance responsibilities unless annexation is later requested.

- Eagle Scout project: Council approved an Eagle Scout project by Caleb (last name given variously in the record), authorizing installation of fish habitat structures in McLaughlin and Arrowhead ponds and cleanup assistance by fellow scouts. The motion carried on voice vote.

- Consent agenda: Accepted as presented.

Items tabled or sent back for follow-up

- Valley Center Historical Society funding request: The society requested up to $10,000 to replace windows in its historic house. Staff presented available economic development allocations and possible budget options, and council members asked for more detailed quotes for billboards and PBS advertising line items that might be reallocated. The council voted to table the request until the April 15 meeting to allow staff to return with firm cost estimates and options.

Why it matters

The Third Street change order increases the immediate construction scope and contract cost but, according to staff, remains within the city's system-improvement budget line. The rezoning for 135 North Ash, approved on first reading, clears a regulatory hurdle for higher-density housing on a site the applicant said would likely contain two duplexes; if subsequent permit and plan reviews comply with code requirements, that development could increase local housing stock. The Bobwhite plat approval allows a county subdivision in the city's growth area to proceed through county processes while preserving the city's option to consider annexation later.

Council and staff comments

Rodney described the technical need for the Third Street change order: when curb removal exposed a built-up pavement section over 7 inches thick at the east end, full-depth replacement of the surface and base was required to maintain crown and drainage rather than simple milling and overlay. Kyle (planning staff) explained rezoning is a land-use decision about allowed uses and setbacks; building plans and parking calculations will be reviewed under the zoning code if rezoning proceeds.

What comes next

- The Historical Society request returns April 15 with cost estimates for windows and advertising trade-off options. - Rezoning for 135 North Ash proceeds as a first-reading approval; subsequent plan submissions will be reviewed by staff for compliance with R-4 standards before permits are issued.

(See "Actions" and "Authorities" arrays for motion texts, tallies and legal references.)