Planning commission approves Rollins Ranch 6th amendment transferring open-space parcel to private trust

The Morgan County Planning Commission unanimously approved a 6th amendment to the Rollins Ranch development agreement on July 9, transferring ownership of Parcel A (currently designated open space) from the homeowners association to a private trust that the applicant said will keep the area native and add trails and park amenities.

Staff introduced the amendment and noted that several prior amendments have modified aspects of the development agreement. The applicant's representative identified himself as Joe Sig and said, "It will be open to the public," adding that improvements in the packet are already completed and in use by the community. Commissioners questioned whether the land-use-restriction agreement language in the packet limited access to HOA residents and their guests; staff and counsel pointed to the original development agreement language that reserves public trail rights as part of the recorded plat and said that the amendment will be retitled as the 6th amendment with no substantive changes besides the title.

After taking questions from commissioners about trail maintenance and coordination with local trail groups, the commission moved out of the public hearing and returned to the regular meeting. A motion to approve the amendment was made by member Wilson, seconded by member King, and the motion carried unanimously; the chair noted that four commissioners were voting and the vote was unanimous.

The commission also noted that the Hancock buyers are willing to work with trail organizations to complete mountain-bike and hiking-trail improvements described in the packet. Staff said they will substitute an updated title sheet (retitling the submission as the 6th amendment rather than the 5th) for the county commission packet when it advances to that body.