Commissioners approve preliminary Stillwater Ranch plat with narrower traffic‑study scope

Jefferson County commissioners on Dec. 8 approved the preliminary plat for Stillwater Ranch (Divisions 2 and 3) after amending the Planning & Zoning recommendation to narrow the required traffic‑study area to a half‑mile from each proposed entrance.

Planning staff said the P&Z commission had recommended an extensive traffic study that would have extended from the proposed entrances down to Main Street and over to Highway 48; property owners and nearby residents argued that traffic disperses across several routes and that a very distant study would dilute meaningful intersection counts. Several commissioners and members of the public urged focusing counts on the immediate approaches (Archer Highway/Highway 150 and adjacent access points) and adding turn‑lane analysis as needed.

Public commenters, including Jim Bernard, also raised concerns about septic density and potential groundwater plume effects. Planning staff and the board noted that DEQ and the health district had advised additional study of septic density and well testing; the applicant offered annual well testing in a pilot area as one mitigation approach. Water‑rights limits and recent IDWR guidance were discussed as constraints that could self‑limit future development in some areas.

The board amended the P&Z conditions so that traffic impacts are studied within a half mile of each proposed entrance (both directions) and approved the preliminary plat; final approvals will depend on the traffic and MP/septic studies and other P&Z conditions.

Next steps: applicant to complete amended traffic and MP studies per the board’s direction; county staff will coordinate with DEQ and the health district on septic/well‑related conditions.