Commissioners delay decision on 132‑lot Webster Farm subdivision, request Tri River water clarification

Planning staff presented the Webster Farm first‑plat, a 132‑lot subdivision on roughly 183 acres off Buckner Clark Road. The developer's submission included soils reports, an environmental-impact assessment (peer-reviewed), and a proposed schedule for phased development through 2033. The project would use on-site septic and proposed extensions of Tri River water along Buckner Clark Road.

Planning staff and multiple commissioners focused questioning on whether the existing Tri River line along US‑64 is a distribution or transmission main, and on the water provider's capacity and policy for serving new development. Staff said Tri River had confirmed an existing 12‑inch line but that Tri River requires developer-submitted calculations to evaluate service and that formal extension approvals remain a separate process.

Commission members also reviewed environmental, stormwater and public‑services input: watershed protection staff confirmed mapping and buffer requirements; environmental health accepted preliminary soils reporting for the first‑plat step; solid‑waste staff noted system monitoring and capacity planning. Planning board review had recommended approval by a 6–4 vote with a minority report.

Given outstanding questions about water-service classification, density implications and Tri River's capacity and commitments, the board opted to postpone final action and directed staff to follow up with Tri River and return the matter at the July meeting for a decision within the 60‑day regulatory window.