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Hazen Council limits certificates of occupancy, restricts permits beyond paved loop
Summary
Citing concerns about emergency access and unfinished infrastructure, the council voted to issue certificates of occupancy only for completed (paved) portions of Expedition Estates and to prohibit building permits beyond the paved loop until paving is finished.
Hazen — After public comment from Wayne Hopper, who identified himself as president of Hazen Community Development, the council debated whether to issue certificates of occupancy (COs) for homes in parts of the Expedition Estates subdivision where roads and some utilities are complete while other parts of the loop remain unpaved.
Hopper urged approval, saying the incentive program and new homes are vital to local growth. "By not allowing this occupancy...is really going against everything that Hazen Community Development is trying to do and stimulate growth in this community," he told the council.
Council discussion focused on balancing neighborhood protection and prospective residents’ interests against the risk that a builder might stop work before completing the loop. Staff and a council member (Mark) outlined options including bonds, issuing COs only for paved areas, and the possibility of special assessments if the developer abandons unfinished roads.
A motion passed directing that certificates of occupancy be issued only for lots within the existing paved area and that no building permits be approved beyond the paved portions until the loop is fully paved. The council recorded a roll-call vote and the motion carried.
The council also noted an outstanding sewer repair on 11th Street related to the larger project; staff said that issue must be resolved in a future season. The council’s action aims to protect current residents while preserving leverage to ensure completion of remaining work.
Next steps: Staff will implement the CO restriction (paved areas only) and communicate the permit limitation to the developer and prospective builders.
