Town approves tentative plat and variances for 9‑lot Autumn Harvest subdivision

The Snowflake Town Council on April 1 approved a tentative plat and most requested variances for the Autumn Harvest subdivision, a proposed private nine‑lot development intended for family homes.

Applicant Doug Brimhall described the plan as a private compound for his family and said he is seeking tentative plat approval to allow utility‑improvement planning. He told the council the development includes detention ponds for drainage and that "in no way will the town be responsible for roadway improvements or maintenance;" he also asked the town to accept water lines for maintenance.

Council discussion centered on roadway width, emergency access and timing of improvements. Planning and public‑safety participants said the proposed roadway meets minimum width requirements if no on‑street parking is allowed and recommended conditions to ensure emergency‑vehicle maneuverability. Councilmember Mark Sheen said several variance requests were reasonable but pressed for a condition that the roadway be paved to town standards before a fourth dwelling is built. Fire‑safety input emphasized the need for adequate roadway widths and clear easements.

Sheen moved and Mayor Byron Lewis seconded approval of the tentative plat and variances 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, with conditions that before building the fourth structure the roadway be paved to satisfy town code (variance 3) and that variance 4 prohibit on‑street parking. The motion passed unanimously with Councilmember Joe Bjornn absent.

The approval allows the applicant to proceed toward final plat work and coordinate with utility agencies; council members noted additional site‑level conditions will be enforced at the final plat and building permit stages.

Next steps: The applicant may submit engineering plans to affected utilities and agencies; the council’s conditions require roadway paving to town code prior to issuance of a building permit for the fourth structure.