Developer-backed petition seeks county benefit district to pave Barnhart Estates roads; residents and second owner support plan

County staff briefed commissioners on a developer-requested resolution to create a benefit district that would fund paving roads in the Barnhart Estates subdivision.

Lynn, a county staff member, said the petition is "a standard resolution, for to create a benefit district at the request of the developer." She explained this Barnhart Estates case differs from typical petitions because the original developer sold the development to a second owner and some lots have already been sold. "The only thing different with Barnhart Estates is that this is the second owner of that development," Lynn said. She added that residents who now live in the subdivision support paving the roads, which they had planned previously but were delayed by bad weather and muddy conditions.

Why it matters: Benefit districts allow local governments to assess property owners who will directly benefit from public improvements, such as road paving. Staff said the petition is not signed by every lot owner because of the partial sale history, but it has "overwhelming support" from current owners.

Next steps: The item remains on the commission's agenda for review. Staff indicated there were no commissioner concerns at the agenda-review discussion and the matter will proceed through the standard benefit-district process.

Ending: Commissioners did not express objections during the briefing. The standard resolution and associated petition will be considered on the March 12 agenda as a developer-requested benefit district.