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Planning and Engineering reports growth in housing permits, infrastructure projects and next‑phase water work
Summary
Derby’s planning and engineering director told council the city issued more permits in 2024, designed $48 million in engineered projects and is moving toward major water and sewer construction including Nelson Drive improvements and a north‑area sewer lift station funded partly by state star bonds.
Derby — Dan Squires, Derby’s development director, told council on March 25 that the planning and engineering department issued a range of permits and completed plans in 2024 while moving into major infrastructure work, including sewer lift station and water‑treatment planning.
Squires said the department permitted 64 new single‑family homes in 2024, 31 commercial building permits valued at about $17.5 million and 86 new dwelling units overall. He said the city issued 1,773 permits and performed 5,131 inspections during the year. The department also generated revenue from inspections performed under contract for Rose Hill, which produced roughly $600,000 and about 1,100 inspections for that neighboring jurisdiction.
Infrastructure and projects: Squires reviewed several projects and priorities. He said Nelson Drive improvements are roughly a $7.5 million investment for the West End with about $5.5 million in federal funding already secured. The North Area sewer project will serve roughly 280 acres around Sky Ridge and Greenwood Village and includes an 1,800‑gallon‑per‑minute lift station, nearly two miles of force main and an interceptor sewer; Squires said the city expects about $4 million in star bond receipts to help pay for that infrastructure.
Water planning and treatment: Squires said Derby is working toward increasing local water production and eventual direct potable reuse feasibility; he told council that awarding a construction contract for a new water treatment facility could come late this year or in early 2026. He also discussed McIntosh reconstruction and other Derby Difference tax projects slated for coming years.
Housing and policy notes: Squires summarized housing activity — Sterling East, Fox Fire phases, Greenwood Village, Sky Ridge and infill projects such as Village Lake multifamily and Oak Forest duplexes — and reiterated that the city’s housing study identified a longer‑term need for about 200 new dwelling units per year. He credited municipal policy changes and cost‑sharing approaches with enabling development in some previously constrained areas while noting material costs and interest rates also affect construction pace.
Ending: Council and Squires discussed regulatory changes including updated building and plumbing codes and progress toward online permitting. Squires said the city was working to align permit renewals, to update codes following MABCD guidance and to continue using outside funding sources when available.
No action was required; the presentation served as the department’s annual update to council.
