Planning commission recommends R2 rezoning east of Lone Spur to complete frontage road, approves despite fire-suppression concerns

The King County Planning and Zoning Commission on Oct. 9 recommended that the county commission approve a zone change for 160 acres east of the Lone Spur subdivision, moving the parcel from agricultural to Residential‑2 (R2) to allow new housing and to complete a missing segment of a county frontage road.

Tom, representing the applicant Iron Rock Group, told the commission the rezoning would let family members retire nearby and would “allow us to connect to Frontage Road … and so as part of this project … to connect Boulder Bluff” and fill the last segment linking local neighborhoods. Shannon, the planning staff member, noted R2’s density and septic implications and reminded commissioners that R2 guest homes were limited to 75% of the primary dwelling under recent code changes.

Public commenters voiced mixed views. Gary Hackbart, a local property owner, said residents should not expect immediate municipal fire protection and argued insurers, not local government, often drive change: “You don’t have to worry about the fire department. In today’s world, the insurance companies will fix that,” he said. Mark Pew and other neighbors pressed the commission about narrow local roads and tight turning radii on Boulder Bluff, saying increased traffic from new homes would strain existing pavement and turning areas. Applicant Andrew Menlove said the project includes an on-site detention basin sized to hold runoff from the wash and that the proposal would loop a water line to improve service for nearby residents.

Commissioners asked staff and the applicant about connectivity and drainage. Tom said the frontage‑road connection follows the county and UDOT master plan, which seeks a node‑to‑node frontage system rather than letting the highway handle local circulation. Tom described prior channelization work and large riprap used to protect downstream areas and said drainage design must honor state law by discharging at historic locations and rates.

Commissioners also debated emergency-service implications for new development in outlying areas. Commissioner Wade Eaton and several colleagues described the county’s historic approach of allowing special service districts to provide fire protection in unincorporated areas; Eaton noted a recent contract extension with Kanab City that temporarily secures emergency responses while residents consider petitions to form a special district.

After discussion the commission voted to recommend approval of Ordinance 2024‑22 to the county commission. The voice vote recorded four in favor, with Commissioner Gwen Brown abstaining because she said she had not heard all information. The motion carried.

The county commission will consider the ordinance next; the planning staff noted there were no other outstanding staff conditions aside from normal permitting and any public appeals.