Commissioners approve Sterling Ranch filing 7C final plat and subdivision-improvements IGA

The Douglas County Board of County Commissioners on March 11 unanimously approved a subdivision improvements agreement (SIA/IGA) and the final plat for Sterling Ranch filing 7C, a 47‑acre portion of the Sterling Ranch master plan that will create 430 residential lots and associated public and private roads.

Staff presented the final plat and the accompanying SIA/IGA as a package; Brett Thomas of Douglas County Planning Services explained that action on the agreement was required prior to final-plat approval. The SIA/IGA is a three‑party agreement among Douglas County, Sterling Ranch Development Company, and the Sterling Ranch Community Authority Board intended to secure streets, traffic facilities, sidewalks, storm drainage, water and sanitary infrastructure. Ken Murphy of county engineering was available for technical questions.

Kevin Jonk, director of engineering for Sterling Ranch Development Company, summarized the proposal and construction progress in prior filings, noting the application proposes 430 residential lots (104 detached homes and 326 townhome/paired units) and approximately 10 acres of open space, including a 1‑acre park. The applicant described infrastructure commitments, water service arrangements through Dominion Water and Sanitation District and the Sterling Ranch Community Authority Board, and engineering approvals for construction documents. Jonk said the development team is "over excavating every block" and added, "we are actually excavating 23 to 24 feet, sort of, for good measure," describing geotechnical precautions for expansive soils.

The board approved the SIA/IGA by motion (project file DV2024-410), the motion carried unanimously, and subsequently approved the final plat (project file SB2024-460) by a unanimous vote. County staff listed ten conditions of approval, including: (1) approval of the SIA/IGA prior to action on the final plat; (2) a per-unit capital mitigation payment to the Douglas County School District ($1,500 per single‑family dwelling; $750 per multifamily unit prior to site improvement plan approval); (3) payment of pro‑rata share costs toward state highway improvements per commitments in the Sterling Ranch PD; (4) inclusion of property in one or more Sterling Ranch metropolitan districts prior to plat recordation; (5) recordation of a private telecommunications easement; (6) coordination with Xcel Energy on gas and electric provision; (7) technical corrections to the final‑plat exhibit; (8) provision of Colorado Parks and Wildlife literature to prospective homeowners about possible wildlife presence; (9) a burrowing‑owl survey if earth moving begins between March 15 and October 31; and (10) satisfaction of commitments made during the public hearing or in writing.

No public commenters spoke at the hearing. Commissioners expressed support for the application, noting the project's compliance with the county comprehensive master plan and the ongoing construction under prior filings. The board recorded motions approving the SIA/IGA and the final plat and instructed staff to proceed with the conditions and recordation steps.