Council approves Hidden Valley plat, authorizes floodplain alteration and easement vacation

Planning staff reported that Brothers Construction proposed removing an existing house at 16515 Hidden Valley Road and dividing the parcel into two lots, with related floodplain reconfiguration and a request to vacate existing easements.

“As is required by code, the actual flood plain storage volume on the site would remain. It's just really the location and shape of that floodplain storage area that would be changed,” planning staff member Miss Thomas said, describing the engineering review and the requirement that floodplain storage volume be preserved.

Thomas told the council the proposed lots meet minimum lot-area and dimensional standards, meet the tree-protection ordinance, and that required easements would be reestablished with the final plat. The planning commission and city staff recommended approval of the preliminary and final plat, the floodplain alteration permit and the vacation of easements.

Councilmember Calvert moved approval; Councilmember Romaley seconded. The council voted by roll call and the motion passed with all members voting yes.

Why it matters: The approval allows a single house lot to be divided into two buildable lots while preserving the site’s required floodplain storage volume; the action includes vacation of existing easements that staff said are obsolete for the reconfigured floodplain and utilities and will be reestablished on the final plat.

No public commenters spoke during the item. The city did not amend code text at the meeting; staff said the proposal complies with existing zoning and engineering standards.

Staff will finalize plats and reestablish utility and drainage easements as part of the final plat process.