Planning commission approves 20‑lot Old Gray Summit subdivision; residents urge traffic fixes

The Pacific Planning & Zoning Commission approved final plat P&Z 2024‑9 for a 20‑lot subdivision on Old Gray Summit Road, a 53.15‑acre site, by a recorded roll‑call vote of 9–0. The commission’s approval included a stipulation that homeowners‑association (HOA) indentures and regulations be provided to the city and placed on file before final recording.

The commission’s planner summarized the submission as a PUD‑style final plat that mirrors earlier preliminary approval under Ordinance 3426 and is subject to final action by the Board of Aldermen by ordinance. Key conditions in the final plat package include private streets with 26‑foot pavement, a three‑inch asphalt surface over a 10‑inch rock base (rather than six inches of asphalt), open‑ditch drainage rather than curb and gutter, two street lights, no sidewalks, a minimum dwelling size of 1,300 square feet, minimum lot widths of about 100 feet, and required tree buffers along shared boundaries. The staff report cites a contracted engineering review by AJ Durando.

Residents and commissioners spent substantial time discussing the choice of private streets and long‑term maintenance. Commissioner Bates warned that private streets often lead to deferred maintenance and collection problems for small HOAs. “I’m gonna hold my nose and say yes,” Bates said before recording his vote in favor of approval. The applicant and some residents countered that private streets can provide privacy and that developer‑established reserves and lien rights are intended to protect future maintenance obligations; the applicant said the road section and lighting were coordinated to match nearby Longview subdivision construction.

Beth Meyer, a resident who identified herself during the public comment period, asked whether sidewalks would be provided; staff replied no. Meyer also urged the commission and aldermen to address traffic safety at the intersection of Lamar and Old Gray Summit Road, saying she had observed multiple near‑misses and that a vehicle recently failed to stop for a stopped school bus. “They’re turning left in front of people coming straight down Old Gray Summit … I’ve been hit, almost hit, at least three times,” Meyer said.

On drainage and lot layout, the applicant explained adjustments to several lot boundaries (lots 5, 6 and 9), noting lot 9 was widened to improve its configuration at a cul‑de‑sac, and said swales would be graded so runoff is dispersed rather than channeled.

Motion and vote: A commissioner moved to approve the final plat with the condition that HOA indentures and regulations be submitted to the city and placed on record; the motion was seconded and carried in a recorded roll‑call vote with all present members voting yes. The planning commission record notes that final action by ordinance of the Board of Aldermen is required for the plat to take effect.

What’s next: The approval returns to the city for final ordinance action by the Board of Aldermen and for recording of the plat and required HOA documents. Commission staff also flagged a separate rezoning/annexation item for Katy Lane scheduled for the December 10 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.

Clarifying details from the record: the application calls for 20 lots on 53.15 acres; private streets will be 26 feet wide with a 3‑inch asphalt top over 10‑inch rock base; sidewalks are not included in the current plan; the HOA is set to assume responsibility for roads and common areas when 14 homes are built. The staff report referenced engineering comments from AJ Durando (engineering name appears in the record both as Durando and Girondo in different attachments).