Council adopts changes to subdivision rules, enacts Ordinance 2026-4

The Preston City Council adopted amendments to Preston Municipal Code 16.10 and enacted Ordinance 2026-4 at its March 9 meeting, adding requirements that developers submit engineering studies — including water, wastewater and traffic analyses — as part of subdivision approvals and permitting the city to require culinary water rights or shares when subdividing.

Director of City Planning and Land Use Shawn Oliverson told the council the Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing and, after legal counsel reviewed concerns about water shares, recommended approval on Feb. 26. The ordinance was read once in summary by City Clerk Linda Acock and approved unanimously; the recorded vote on the ordinance shows Council President Todd Thomas, Councilmembers Terry Larson, Brent Dodge and Chris Larsen voting aye.

The change codifies staff and commission guidance aimed at ensuring developments include adequate utility and traffic planning before final plat approval. Supporters said the language strengthens the city’s ability to require necessary studies; opponents at the hearing had argued that water shares can be transferred only to landowners, an issue legal counsel reviewed prior to council action.

Council materials list the amendment as PM C 16.10 and the ordinance as Ordinance 2026-4. The council did not attach a sunset date or additional implementation schedule during the meeting; further procedural steps (e.g., code posting and staff guidance) were not specified at the March 9 session.