Douglas County approves temporary laydown yard for Southern Star pipeline, neighbors cite noise and trail damage concerns

Douglas County commissioners approved a temporary business use (TBU) permit on July 22 to allow a laydown yard supporting the relocation of about a 2.22-mile section of pipeline for Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline. County planner Carl Bauer presented the request, noting the site is northeast of East 902 Road and North 1464 Road, within a CP-zoned residential subdivision near the Lawrence Family Church and the Lawrence Loop Trail. The proposed operation dates are July 27 through October 31 with hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Neighbors attending the meeting urged stronger protections. Karen Grama (911 North 1464 Road) asked how close the laydown yard would be to homes and voiced concerns about noise, potential damage to foundations and driveways from heavy equipment, and unrepaired bike‑path damage; Jennifer Smith (909 North 1464) said the public notice map was confusing and worried about access routing. In response staff recommended conditions to limit access only from East 902 Road (not North 1464), require compacted gravel at the trail crossing, post orange-and-black warning signage, submit proof of insurance, fence laydown areas within 50 feet of residences, require a night watchman, and restore any damaged public infrastructure. The applicant (Thomas Elizondo) said the laydown area would be located as far north as possible and that trees on the property would remain. The board approved the permit on a 4— vote.

The transcript records one commissioner voting no and one commissioner saying they were not comfortable approving while the applicant was not initially available to answer questions; commissioners who voted to approve cited mitigations and lessons learned from previous laydown yards. The county will require the applicant to submit proof of insurance, repair any trail damage, and follow the other conditions specified in staff recommendations.