Commission recommends annexing Chestnut Ridge Tract 4 but not Tract 5 amid $6.6 million road‑upgrade concerns

The Planning & Zoning Commission voted to recommend that the city council annex Tract 4 of the Chestnut Ridge development but declined to recommend annexing Tract 5 at this time because of unresolved road‑improvement and funding issues.

Brian Reed, a resident of 2917 Sunrise Court, told the commission Tract 5 would bring the city responsibility for paving Redwood and Chestnut at city standards and estimated the cost at about $6.6 million. Reed recommended annexing Tract 4 while leaving Tract 5 out or modifying its legal description so the city would not inherit immediate obligations.

Staff explained that if the city were to require urban standard reconstruction (curb, gutter, storm sewer, sidewalks and street lights), the $6.6 million estimate would be required. They added that if the township led a more basic reconstruction (a 12‑inch gravel base with 4 inches of asphalt, no curb or lights), the cost might fall to approximately $1.8–2 million, but that would require coordination and cost sharing among the school district, township, county and developer.

Commissioners acknowledged residents’ past opposition to city intervention in the area, noted current gravel‑road daily traffic counts (about 600 vehicles per day), and said the city does not currently have $6.6 million budgeted to rebuild those roads. After discussion, commissioners moved to recommend annexing Tract 4 only, unless the plat or legal description for Tract 5 is modified before the council meeting; that recommendation passed by roll call as a 4–2 recommendation in favor of Tract 4 and no recommendation on Tract 5.

Staff advised the commission that the recommendation would be forwarded to the city council, which holds the final decision on annexation and on financing options for road improvements.