Preston approves Saddle Crossing Phase II; developer seeks reimbursement for upsized lift station

The Preston City Council approved a Development Agreement and final plat for Saddle Crossing Subdivision, Phase II, on Aug. 12, 2024, voting unanimously to accept bond security, update additional water shares, and adopt revised warranty language tying warranty commencement to completion and acceptance of all improvements.

Developer Brandon Roberts told council he had upsized a sewer lift station at city request. He said the Department of Environmental Quality-sized station would have cost roughly $100,000 and served about 50 homes, but the city-standard station he installed cost closer to $250,000 and could, "according to his engineer, [serve] up to 450 homes." Roberts asked the city to authorize an agreement requiring future developers who connect to the lift station to reimburse him a share of the cost.

Council discussed whether a variance would be required and whether the city should standardize lift stations for maintenance reasons. Public Works Director John Balls and City Engineer Tyrell Simpson said uniform lift stations simplify maintenance; Simpson and Balls supported the upsized, city-standard approach. A motion to table the reimbursement request and have Roberts submit a proposed agreement was made but lost when its second was rescinded; council later moved to table the reimbursement matter so legal counsel could examine reimbursement mechanics and dollar amounts, and that motion passed unanimously.

After the legal review direction, the council approved the Development Agreement on a unanimous vote (Councilmembers Larson, Dodge and Larsen voting Aye) and approved the Final Plat for Saddle Crossing Phase II on a unanimous vote.

What happens next: the reimbursement mechanism will be reviewed by the city attorney and returned to council with recommended language and cost allocations. The city will also take responsibility for subdivision infrastructure once completed, per the development agreement.