Board approves amendment allowing bonding for Blackstone Ranch South subdivision; updates signal pro rata estimate

Carson City staff and the applicant described an amendment to Tentative Subdivision Map 19-054 (Blackstone Ranch South) to remove language that prohibited bonding of required site improvements and to clarify conditions that direct construction traffic to access from East 5th Street.

Planning Manager Heather Manzo told the Board the 2019 approval included conditions intended to limit construction traffic through the existing Railroad Drive neighborhood and had wording that prevented the applicant from bonding site improvements. The applicant requested the change because it is not customary to prohibit bonding and, in this case, external permitting and federal jurisdiction (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers review for a segment of the off-site extension) risked expiring the tentative map before off-site approvals could be obtained.

Staff recommended clarifying condition 17 to explicitly direct construction traffic to East 5th Street; correcting an incorrect square-footage citation in condition 43 for an access easement; and, if the board desired, updating the pro rata share estimate in condition 19 for required signalization because the cost estimate had increased since 2019 (staff provided an updated estimate around $1,450,000 while holding the developer's percentage share at 3.53 percent). Applicant representatives (D.R. Horton) confirmed they cannot physically begin subdivision construction without the roadway extension and that they would not oppose updating condition 19 to reflect current cost estimates.

Supervisor Schuette asked how the city would ensure roads were completed to city standards and whether bonding would guarantee completion; staff explained the final-map and site-improvement-permit processes require the improvements to be completed or guaranteed by bond before final acceptance and before homes may be sold. Community Development Director Hope Sullivan explained the change was requested after the Army Corps assumed jurisdiction over the Lompa parcel required for the east-west roadway, creating timing issues that would cause the map to expire if the applicant were required to complete the road prior to final map.

Supervisor Schuette moved to approve the amendment to the tentative subdivision map based on the required findings and subject to conditions of approval presented, including changes to condition 19. The motion was seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the amendment.