Land Use Authority approves Desert Ridge Townhomes Phase 2 with conditions to limit hillside disturbance

The Washington City Land Use Authority voted Jan. 15 to approve the preliminary plat for Desert Ridge Townhomes Phase 2, a planned unit development proposing 35 townhome units on roughly 8.03 acres (about 4.36 dwelling units per acre).

Staff and the Hillside Committee attached several conditions to the approval to limit disturbance to a nearby hillside and preserve natural vegetation. The authority approved the preliminary plat subject to two findings and 15 conditions in the staff report, including: a third‑party technical review of the slope stability and deformation analysis; completion of landscaping in open/common space areas prior to issuance of building permits; and installation and maintenance of orange protective fencing in the hillside area so that protected portions are not disturbed during construction.

Why it matters: The parcel includes a visible knoll and previously disturbed cut where the proposed loop road and future development interact with an existing slope. The Hillside Committee and geotechnical consultants debated how much of the knoll to remove, how to stabilize below, and how to revegetate clay soils after construction. Commissioners asked for clearer alignment between the plat drawings and hillside conditions to avoid conflicting notes that say both “knoll to be removed” and “preserve knoll.”

Discussion highlights: Commissioner Sheila (first name used in the meeting as a commissioner) said the condition to “look closely” at the knoll was vague and asked how staff would enforce it. Eldon (planning staff) said staff will monitor construction drawings and the construction process and work with the developer to minimize disturbance. Several commissioners requested removal of a conflicting note on drawing sheet C‑5 that said “knoll to be removed”; staff and the applicant confirmed the note was meant to be removed and that Condition 13 would supersede the conflicting drawing note so that the project minimizes removal of the knoll.

Brandy Walker of Civil Science, representing the applicant, explained that geotechnical firms and the Hillside Committee had taken different positions and that the chosen approach minimizes heavy equipment on the steep slope and reduces the area needing revegetation. She said the proposed road elevation will remain roughly where it is today and that the change to the circulation and lot layout reduced projected hillside disturbance compared with earlier submittals.

The authority approved the preliminary plat after a motion by Commissioner Mitchell, seconded by Commissioner Shill. The vote was unanimous (Commissioner Shill, Commissioner Mitchell, Commissioner Tupou, Commissioner Davis and Commissioner Bullock voted aye).

The approval requires the applicant to follow the 15 conditions in the staff report; among them, the city added Condition 13 to ensure the knoll is evaluated and disturbance minimized, Condition 14 to complete landscaping/revegetation before building permits are issued, and Condition 15 to install temporary orange fencing to protect the non‑disturb hillside area during construction.

Next steps: As a preliminary plat approval the applicant must submit final construction drawings, comply with the third‑party slope analysis and satisfy the city’s conditions before receiving building permits. Staff will monitor grading, revegetation and compliance with the hillside conditions during construction.