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Commission OKs Rangeacre preliminary plat; asks DEQ to review wastewater study
Summary
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of preliminary plat SD-10-25 (Rangeacre) for an 11-lot subdivision on a 131-acre parcel with a condition requiring perpetual road easements, and asked Commissioner Hinckley to draft a written concern to the Department of Environmental Quality about the wastewater suitability study.
The Albany County Planning and Zoning Commission on April 8 recommended approval of the Rangeacre preliminary plat application (SD-10-25), a proposal to subdivide a 131-acre parcel into 11 lots averaging roughly 12 acres each, contingent on the provision of perpetual right-of-way easements for subdivision roads.
Planning staff (David) told the commission that lots 1–10 would rely on individual wells and septic systems while lot 11 has an existing well and septic system; utilities would be installed underground and the applicant provided draft road-maintenance and covenant documents for review. Staff said all required materials had been submitted but that Chapter 6, Section 4.A2 requires perpetual right-of-way easements when private roads are proposed; staff recommended approval subject to that condition.
During deliberations a commissioner with hydrology expertise raised technical concerns about the wastewater/water-suitability analysis, noting that the consultant’s reliance on near-surface percolation tests may not demonstrate aquifer permeability used in contaminant-dilution modeling. The commissioner recommended that the commission put its concerns in writing to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) so the state review could address the point. The commission agreed and approved a motion to have Commissioner Hinckley prepare a letter expressing the commission’s concern to DEQ while proceeding with the recommendation to approve the preliminary plat.
Nathan Willis, the applicant, told commissioners the access road traverses a much larger ranch and that he preferred to restrict access to private users of the subdivision lots. Public commenters, including Denny Sullivan (president of the neighboring HOA), asked for copies of the application materials and expressed safety and maintenance concerns about access, fencing, lighting and potential impacts to livestock.
The commission’s motion to recommend approval was recorded with the condition that the applicant provide perpetual right-of-way easements for all subdivision roads; the commission also voted to request that a written statement of concern about the wastewater suitability study be sent to DEQ for technical review. Both motions passed unanimously.
Next steps: staff will forward the commission’s recommendation and the drafted DEQ statement with the applicant’s record for state review and DEC/DEQ permitting processes.
