Planning commission approves 91‑lot West Haven Estates preliminary plat amid traffic and drainage concerns

The Sheridan Planning Commission on Feb. 9 approved the preliminary plat for PL25‑39, West Haven Estates, a proposed subdivision that would create 91 single‑family lots and three outlots on just over 23 acres north of Midland Road.

City planner Kelly Schroeder told the commission the R‑1 zoned site meets the city’s lot‑width and minimum size requirements for most parcels and that larger rear portions of lots 71–91 exist to accommodate a no‑build drainage area around the Alliance Lateral Ditch. "This is a 91 lot single family subdivision," Schroeder said, and staff recommended the commission find the preliminary plat consistent with city code and the future land‑use map and approve it to allow a final‑plat application.

Schroeder said the Cloud Peak Ranch universal annexation agreement and previous dedications mean the area’s open‑space requirement is satisfied; she said the document requires 52.3 acres overall but that earlier phases had already dedicated more than 150 acres of open space, including Black Tooth Park and the Hidden Bridge Golf Course. She also described infrastructure work planned with the subdivision: an 8‑inch water main loop, a reconstructed 12‑inch main in Hillpond Drive, a system of sanitary sewer mains tying into an existing 12‑inch stub, 10 proposed fire hydrants and stormwater piping and detention.

Several commissioners and residents pressed the developer and staff on traffic, drainage, lot configuration and school capacity. Commissioner Windsor asked whether Hillpond Drive and West Haven Drive would provide emergency turnarounds; City engineer Morneau said the street ends are intended as hammerhead turnarounds and that the fire marshal had reviewed the plans. Resident Mike Trout said, "I worry about the traffic that these extra 91 houses are going to add at Hillpond and Midland"," and Jan Jordan and others raised past flooding incidents and said drainage remains a local concern.

Schroeder and Morneau said a preliminary drainage report has been submitted and reviewed by staff; Morneau said developments must meet adopted storm‑drainage design criteria and that detention facilities and curb, gutter and sidewalk improvements along Midland would be used to manage runoff. "They have looked at it. We have as staff reviewed the preliminary drainage report, had no issues," Morneau said.

Developer Andrew McFallwick of Calvert Construction said the decision to propose larger lots on the southern parcels was partly to reduce HOA maintenance obligations and to make lots more marketable: "I think the lots would be more attractive if they were larger," he told commissioners.

The commission voted to approve the preliminary plat; the approval allows the applicant to pursue a final‑plat filing and any required variance requests (including the depth‑to‑front ratio on a subset of lots) will be considered at that stage. Commissioner Lehman moved to approve PL25‑39; the motion was seconded and the commission voted in favor.

Schroeder reminded residents that those who received notice for the preliminary plat will also receive notice for the final plat and invited them to contact staff for updates. The preliminary approval does not authorize construction: additional studies and engineering details on traffic, drainage and utilities will be required as part of the final‑plat review and permitting process.