Council reviews staff comments on Bucking Iron Business Park final plat; staff recommends water extension and paving

City Planner Kelly Schroeder presented staff comments on Resolution 31-25, the final plat for Bucking Iron Business Park, at the Dec. 8 Sheridan study session. The proposal is a county subdivision located about 1,200 feet south of city limits off East Ridge Road that would divide roughly 20 acres into six lots sized about 2.5 to 3.5 acres.

Schroeder said the property is currently unplatted and zoned I-2 industrial in the county; nearest city zoning is M-1. Staff recommended that, consistent with the city–county MOU and the urban service-area policy, the city ask the Board of County Commissioners to require extension of water infrastructure to the subdivision in accordance with city design standards, allow a decentralized sewer system because centralized sewer service is not presently available, and require Bucking Iron Circle be paved and built to an appropriate rural standard prior to final county approval. Schroeder said staff will request these items be addressed before the county signs off.

Council Member Patson asked why paving was requested; the public-works respondent said the MOU requires paving when water is extended to protect utilities. Staff noted water could be extended via easement through an adjacent parcel or by using the county’s existing right-of-way improvements on East Ridge Road, and that the county is planning to straighten and pave East Ridge Road with federal grant assistance. No final vote on the resolution was recorded at the study session; staff framed the matter as comments the governing body can convey to the county commission.