Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Somerset commission approves Norman Ranch design exception, preliminary plat with infrastructure conditions
Summary
The commission approved a design exception and preliminary plat for Norman Ranch with stipulations on force main design, lift station flow limits (80 gpm for phases 1a/1b), metering and SCADA integration, and odor‑control evaluation; motion passed by roll call vote.
The Somerset City Commission voted unanimously on Dec. 5 to approve a design exception request and the preliminary plat for the Norman Ranch subdivision, advancing the development with detailed infrastructure conditions.
Planning staff and developer representatives outlined the stipulations before the vote. The motion as read by staff allowed a design exception for a minimum force‑main flow velocity of 1.9 feet per second (the development is otherwise required to meet a 2.0 ft/s City of Somerset IDCM minimum). The developer agreed to construct a 4‑inch HDPE force main sized for the subdivision, provide full‑face fittings, valves, a pig launch access point and a high‑capacity water source, and integrate metered flow data into the city’s SCADA system. The Norman Ranch lift station’s flow rate was limited to 80 gallons per minute or less for phases 1a and 1b to ensure compatibility with the City of Somerset lift station as currently designed.
Developer representative Kyle Troy said, “We’ve had a lot of discussion here this last week, last couple weeks on this,” describing negotiations over contingencies and cost‑sharing language. Staff emphasized the development agreement already contains a cost‑recovery provision requiring future developments that benefit from the infrastructure to pay proportionally for improvements.
Other stipulations written into the approval include requirement of design and submittal of power, instrumentation and control panels by licensed engineers; equipment start‑up services and manufacturer training for city staff; two‑year equipment warranties; an odor‑control evaluation as required by IDCM (with odor control not required with phase 1 but with a process for addressing complaints); and as‑built drawings and O&M manuals to be provided to the city.
The motion to approve the design exception and the preliminary plat was made, seconded and carried on a roll‑call vote: Commissioner Austin — Aye; Commissioner Marco — Aye; Commissioner Reed — Aye; Mayor Fitzmaier — Aye. The approval advances the Norman Ranch subdivision subject to the listed stipulations and future review steps by city staff.
Next steps: the developer must satisfy the stipulations and complete required engineered submittals before final plat and certificates of occupancy as described by the city’s review requirements.
