Council adopts second-reading ordinance to clear land-use rules ahead of private-road policy

Keystone’s council voted to adopt Ordinance 2026-010 on second reading, repealing portions of Chapter 5 of the town land‑use code related to road and private road acceptance procedures. Staff said the repeal is a housekeeping step that will allow the council to adopt town-specific private-road acceptance standards by resolution.

Deputy town manager explained the ordinance is timed to allow a 30‑day effective period so that a companion resolution establishing acceptance criteria can be adopted while the code sections are suspended. He told council that a property owner wishing to transfer a private road to the town must still have acceptance approved by ordinance and that the resolution would set clearer, town‑specific criteria and processes. There was no public comment at the hearing and council moved to adopt the ordinance on second reading.

Council discussed whether adopting the ordinance ahead of the resolution was "putting the cart before the horse," and staff said the ordinance will not take effect until 30 days after passage, which preserves time to finalize the acceptance policy. Council asked staff to ensure communications about the change clearly explain the difference between public and private roads and to include links to the forthcoming policy in public notices.