Public hearing held for Kimball Estates 21‑lot subdivision; drainage and irrigation access raised by neighbors

The Planning Commission held a public hearing on June 12 on Kimball Estates, a proposed 21‑lot subdivision of three‑quarter‑acre lots south of Burnt Church (presented by the developer MRK 3 / Mac Builders). Staff told the commission the project is on a third review, is largely compliant with ordinances, and is awaiting an access approval from the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) before final approval.

Staff said the developer has been responsive in reviews and that the subdivision will require a UDOT access permit for a driveway/road connection to State Route 59. "They've been very compliant," the planner said, noting the applicant had removed a berm and addressed farm‑owner concerns raised during review.

Neighbors and nearby landowners used the public hearing to raise several concerns. Bill Anderson and others asked whether an existing agricultural irrigation ditch would be piped and how far piping would extend, and whether maintenance access for irrigation and farm equipment would be preserved. Dan Higley, a local farmer, outlined historic ditch rights and said parts of the ditch run along or near parcel lines and include buried pipelines and orchard valves; he warned that farm access and water rights must be preserved and said changes to berms and grading could create new maintenance burdens.

The developer's representative, Kyle Davis with MRK 3 group, said the project team would cooperate: the plan includes a 15‑foot easement along the east side of a lot to provide access, and the developer proposes to pipe storm drainage from the subdivision out to an existing outfall to the west. Davis said the developer will place the irrigation valve/headgate at the location the irrigation district requests and intends to provide an access easement large enough for a backhoe or dump truck to maintain the ditch.

Commissioners asked technical questions about ditch alignment, storm drainage capacity and whether the existing downstream outfall can accept additional runoff. Staff and the developer said stormwater would be piped across the road and tied into an outfall roughly 1,000 feet south; engineers will confirm capacity and drainage design during final plan review.

No final action or approval was taken; staff said they anticipate the project will return for final approval after UDOT and agency approvals and after required engineering confirmations.

Planning staff said they will coordinate further with public works, engineering and property owners to ensure irrigation access and ditch maintenance needs are addressed in final plans.