Commission approves revised Shelter Haven preliminary plat with recorded subdivision restrictions and stormwater conditions

The Platte County Planning & Zoning Commission voted to approve a revised preliminary plat for the Estates of Shelter Haven (18.26 acres) on July 21, 2026, after the applicant agreed to conditions intended to limit short‑term further subdivision and to meet updated stormwater standards.

Jason Halterman, assistant director of planning and zoning, said the revised plat would still create six lots, ranging from about 1.02 to 4.24 acres, each eligible for a single‑family building permit under existing R‑40 zoning. Halterman told the commission staff was initially not supportive because the reconfigured lots could facilitate “piecemeal development,” but that the applicant had agreed to record deed restrictions and other assurances to gain staff support.

Halterman outlined the conditions recommended in the staff report: the preliminary plat must contain a note stating lots 14–19 "shall not be further subdivided until after the year 2040," deed restrictions must be recorded at plat recording, the development must comply with county stormwater standards including APWA 5600, and a 150‑foot stream buffer must be maintained. He also said the applicant had resubmitted a drainage study that the county engineer reviewed and approved and that a final county engineer review is required prior to final plat.

Applicant James Owens, sworn for testimony, described the revised layout as an attempt to make the lots "more proportional" and said he did not intend to install additional streets or further subdivide beyond the six lots. Owens said, "I build the house. I build them to suit," and described redesigning the lots to account for terrain such as valleys and the stream corridor.

A resident, Raymond Kush of Hornback Road, asked whether the new homes would route traffic onto Hornback Road; staff responded that access would be off Highway 92. Commissioners discussed how long the deed restriction should run—some suggested 15, 20 or 30 years, others noted fairness concerns because neighboring lots lack similar restrictions. The chair asked Owens whether he would agree to extend the restriction and the applicant agreed to move the restriction date further out (the audio record shows the applicant consenting to the later year discussed at the meeting).

A motion to approve agenda item 4a with the listed conditions (recording deed restrictions on the specified lots, compliance with APWA 5600 stormwater standards and county engineer approval prior to final plat) was made, seconded and passed.

The approval was conditional on recording the deed restriction at plat recording, completion and county engineer approval of required stormwater reviews, and the stated stream buffer and street standards. Staff said streets will be 24‑foot local streets with two‑foot lazy back curbs maintained by the Parkville Special Road District. The county will require final engineering and the recording of the deed restriction noted in the staff report before final plat approval.

The commission also previewed upcoming items for August and September, including additional rezonings and plats.