Commissioners give preliminary OK to longer cul‑de‑sac for Bighorn Ridge; plat still required
Loading...
Summary
The Elbert County Board of County Commissioners directed staff to allow a requested modification to subdivision standards that would permit a cul‑de‑sac of approximately 2,700 feet to serve seven lots at Bighorn Ridge, contingent on design built to county standards and final plat review.
The Elbert County Board of County Commissioners on June 11 provided preliminary support for a requested modification to the county subdivision regulations that would allow a longer access road to a cul‑de‑sac for the Bighorn Ridge subdivision. The board’s guidance was not a final plat approval; the plat must still go through planning commission review and formal board action.
Why it matters: the proposal would change a local technical standard intended to limit cul‑de‑sac length for lots between 1 and 20 acres. Applicants said the longer road is necessary to serve larger lots and preserve lot layouts; county engineering and the Elizabeth Fire Protection District indicated no objection so long as the road is built to Elbert County construction standards.
County planning staff summarized the request: the property is an approximately 80‑acre parcel on the county’s western boundary. The applicant requested a modification to Elbert County subdivision regulations, article 11(b)(4)(b), which limits local roads leading to cul‑de‑sacs to 1,320 feet for lots between 1 and 20 acres. The applicant seeks permission for a road length up to approximately 2,700 feet to serve seven lots.
Grace Erickson, the applicant’s representative with Providence Consulting, said the development is a low‑density agricultural residential layout and that the longer road is needed to serve larger lots. Jennifer (county planning staff) said the county engineer and public works reviewed the request and did not object, but noted the road must meet county construction standards if built.
The board did not approve a plat or record a formal modification; instead the commissioners agreed to allow the applicant to pursue design and submit a plat for the normal public review process. Commissioners asked for continued coordination with public works and fire protection to ensure adequate access and emergency response.
Next steps: the applicant will proceed with engineering design to county standards and return to the planning commission and board for formal plat review and any required modification approval.
