River Heights planners conditionally approve 41-lot Creekside Estates preliminary plat

The River Heights Planning Commission on May 26 conditionally approved the 41-lot preliminary plat for Creekside Estates, a 15.27-acre subdivision at 755 S 600 E, directing the developer to provide a set of engineering, utility, and easement clarifications before the Development Review Committee completes final review.

Commissioner Troy Wakefield moved to accept the preliminary plat as submitted with additional verifications; Commissioner Anna Lisa Davidson seconded. The motion listed requirements the developer must address before final approval, and passed with Commissioners Cooley, Davidson, Roberts, Ryan and Wakefield voting in favor.

Key conditions recorded in the motion require the applicant to:

• Show that each lot meets the required 80-foot frontage at setback and clarify frontage-width notations;

• Provide verified road radiuses and the profile grade of roads;

• Detail the emergency easement (including a breakaway gate, a turnaround, maintenance responsibility and that the easement be on a single lot);

• Provide a pathway to the school or show how it will be accommodated on the plat;

• Submit letters from necessary utility providers confirming they can supply services and a current preliminary title report with signatures in the title blocks;

• Provide a percolation (perk) test for stormwater on the north side and show how stormwater will be routed from Lot 41 to the existing drain line;

• Provide a city easement for access to the detention pond;

• Revisit the design of Lots 17, 18 and 19 to address stormwater and the emergency easement; and

• Disclose all existing utility easements on the preliminary plat and specify units of measure on Note #1.

During discussion, developer representative Blaine Hamblin said he held preapplication meetings with the city engineer and public works director and confirmed Cache County had granted permission for the subdivision to access 600 East. Commissioners asked for written confirmation from the fire marshal and utility companies. Councilmember Mark Malmstrom expressed concern about turning radiuses for fire protection; public-works and engineering determinations on water, sewer, and stormwater remain outstanding.

Hamblin noted the development is planned in three phases and said they hoped to begin work "before mid-June," with best-case completion of all three phases in about 18 months. The commission required that roads and emergency access be improved before any phase begins and that the city engineer determine technical sufficiency for utilities and drainage.

Why it matters: the conditions aim to ensure public safety (fire access and road geometry), utility capacity, and proper stormwater management before the city signs off on final platting. The motion preserves the applicant’s ability to proceed subject to the listed verifications rather than denying the application outright.

The commission adjourned at 8:55 p.m. after completing the agenda; staff will forward the commission’s conditions to the applicant and the Development Review Committee for follow-up.