La Plata Planning Commission OKs one-year extension for Steeplechase subdivision amid water-allocation delay

The La Plata Planning Commission on a unanimous vote approved a one-year time extension for the Steeplechase major subdivision, citing continued inability to record phase 3 while water allocation remains unavailable.

Director Dooley introduced the item as a time-extension request and noted corrections to the staff report, including the owner name and an updated unit breakdown. "This time extension request covers the period from 12/05/2025 to 12/05/2026 — 1 year extension," Director Dooley said during his presentation. He told commissioners the development originally totaled 486 units across three phases (phase 1: 193 units; phase 2: 199 units; phase 3: originally 94 units, with later adjustments leaving 189 units remaining for phase 3). Staff told the commission the requested extension arose primarily because the town has not been able to allocate water for the remaining lots.

Applicant Ron Reimer told the commission he has "continued to fulfill all my obligations" and that he has plats in to record phase 3 but is blocked by the water allocation. Reimer said he is bearing financing costs and bank fees while he waits, and objected to the staff condition calling for a new traffic study: "My comment in regards to the traffic study, it just seemed to me to be an unwarranted item," he said, arguing that the delay is due to water allocation, not traffic concerns.

Commissioners pressed staff and the applicant on the scope and history of traffic analysis for the site; Director Dooley said the last traffic impact study was completed on 09/19/2022 and that the updated study would be limited to evaluating whether the added units plus existing conditions create adverse traffic impacts. Dooley also said staff would seek documentation that the developer has satisfied the town's parkland-dedication requirements, noting that in some cases the record is incomplete and staff needs verified deeds or fee receipts to close the file.

After discussion, a motion to approve the time-extension recommendation with the staff conditions carried. Chair Banks announced the extension was approved and thanked the applicant. The staff conditions remain in place, including documentation of parkland dedication and the traffic-study requirement as described in the staff report.