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Land Use Authority approves Country Hills preliminary plat with conditions protecting adjacent resident
Summary
The Land Use Authority approved the Country Hills preliminary plat (18 lots on 9.22 acres at 2140 E. Washington Dam Road) with conditions requiring retaining walls, preservation of access to an existing home, a sewer stub and construction of the public road before home building.
The Washington City Land Use Authority on June 4 approved the preliminary plat for the Country Hills Subdivision, a proposal for 18 lots on about 9.22 acres at 2140 East Washington Dam Road, subject to staff conditions and several additions requested during the hearing to protect an adjacent homeowner.
Staff reported the subdivision conforms to the R-1-15 zoning and includes a 26-foot-wide secondary all-weather access behind Lots 1 through 4, with Country Hills Court stubbed to the east for future connectivity. Staff also said the plan preserves access to a single-family residence on the south end via a legal access easement; the application shows a public road profile that would replace the existing 20-foot private easement.
Neighbor Patricia Biggs, the owner of the existing house that currently uses the 20-foot recorded easement, said she is concerned about excavation that has created an elevation difference and asked the developer to build retaining walls and to provide a sewer connection. Her granddaughter, Kelsey Tolan, asked that the deeded 20-foot access be paved to the existing driveway or otherwise guaranteed.
The city attorney explained the recorded easement language has weaknesses (no specific location and beneficiary wording), and staff said the applicant's proposal to provide a 50-foot public right-of-way would constitute an improvement under Utah law as long as it is not more burdensome than the existing access. Applicant Jared Bates said the plan ties the new road to existing grades and that required retaining walls and utility work would be included in final design.
Commissioner Anderson moved to approve the preliminary plat with standard staff conditions and four added conditions: construction of retaining walls to the north and east as needed; the proposed access area to the Biggs parcel to be preserved at full width; a sewer stub brought to the Biggs parcel; and the public road constructed before any homes are built so the private easement is replaced. Commissioner Davis seconded; the motion passed unanimously.
Votes at a glance: Motion to approve preliminary plat for Country Hills Subdivision (2140 E. Washington Dam Road) with added conditions — Mover: Commissioner Jason Anderson; Second: Commissioner Richard Davis; Vote: Anderson Aye, Davis Aye, Bullock Aye; Outcome: approved.
