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Planning board approves Ground Level three-lot subsequent minor subdivision with water and access conditions
Summary
The Park County Planning Board unanimously approved a subsequent minor subdivision (three lots from an existing 30-acre parcel) near Basin Trail Road, conditioning final approval on engineered crossing design, final covenants, and demonstration of groundwater status consistent with new DNRC notice requirements under House Bill 681.
The Park County Planning Board voted unanimously Feb. 19 to approve a subsequent minor subdivision that will split a 30-acre lot in the Sandstone Bluffs Subdivision into three lots.
Applicant Justin Goujon, with Ground Level Enterprises, and surveyor George Borneeman (Cushing Terrell) described a plan that uses the existing Basin Trail Road to a proposed internal cul-de-sac and individual onsite fire-suppression systems for each residence. Planning staff recommended approval with findings and conditions in the subdivision administrator’s report.
Mike, the county subdivision administrator, told the board the application is a subsequent minor subdivision that retains the Sandstone Bluffs covenants and therefore avoids duplicating some requirements. He said the subdivision will provide a 60-foot right-of-way and a 24-foot road surface for the internal road, and that Lot 3 required an engineered crossing of Slaughterhouse Creek to ensure emergency-vehicle access.
Staff and the applicant discussed groundwater. Mike said the applicant’s hydrology testing showed what he described as a fast recovery and "about 38 gallons per minute for 24 hours," and staff required a test well and DNRC notice of intent under recent state changes. He explained House Bill 681 requires anyone proposing a new groundwater use under the exempt thresholds to file a notice of intent with DNRC so DNRC can determine whether the exempt use is allowed or whether a water right is required.
Board members also raised questions about ponds and exempt wells — noting that decorative or large ponds filled from exempt wells can have consumptive impacts on aquifers. Mike said applicants are not proposing ponds now; building a pond later would likely be a material change to the approved subdivision and could trigger re-review and enforcement.
Kathy moved to approve the subdivision with the administrator’s findings and conditions; the board voted in favor. Conditions include engineered crossing approval, final covenants to be submitted prior to final plat, compliance with county road standards, and completion of any required DNRC notice/test-well demonstration prior to final approval.
