Planning commission approves tentative plat for Rock Creek subdivision in White Mountain Lake area

The Navajo County Planning and Zoning Commission voted to approve a tentative plat for the Rock Creek subdivision, a proposed 67.2‑acre development west of White Mountain Lakes that would allow 144 residential units including 119 manufactured‑home lots and 25 single‑family lots.

Tyler, a county planner, told commissioners the project ‘‘meets the goals and policies of the Navajo County Comprehensive Plan’’ and recommended approval ‘‘subject to the 14 editions in the staff report.’’ The staff presentation said lot sizes would range from just under a tenth of an acre to about a third of an acre, with average lot size just over a tenth of an acre, two tracks dedicated for ingress and egress, and three tracks for on‑site water retention.

The applicant’s representative, Doug Brimhall, described long‑running plans for the property, noting portions adjacent to higher‑end homes would have larger lots while other areas would be higher density. Brimhall said the developer will phase construction according to market demand and that a gated cul‑de‑sac will separate some parcels from an adjacent subdivision.

Commissioners asked about variances requested with the tentative plat, including allowing cul‑de‑sacs longer than 600 feet, permitting more than 20 homes on a cul‑de‑sac, accepting a dead‑end street configuration and deferring the geotechnical report to final‑plat submittal. Staff said the engineering department reviewed and found the variances acceptable and recommended conditioning geotechnical submittal as part of final plat approval.

The public comment period opened for the item; no speakers came forward. After discussion closed, a commissioner moved to approve the tentative plat subject to staff conditions; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Next steps: the developer will submit improvement drawings and return to the county for final plats for each development phase as those phases are proposed.