Commissioners approve Red Hawk Ranch preliminary plat amid traffic, water and sewer concerns

The Grand County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve the preliminary plat for the Red Hawk Ranch subdivision, a long‑running proposal that would allow up to 228 residential units across single‑family and multifamily parcels after staff recommended 19 conditions. Community Development Director Chris Manguso told the board the plat now meets zoning and master‑plan standards after the developer reduced unit counts to address lot‑width and setback rules.

Developer representative Jeff Bogle said the project will begin with a final plat for 37 detached multifamily ‘‘cabins’’ and noted the property ‘‘has very senior water rights’’ and an extraterritorial agreement with Tabernash Meadows Water & Sanitation District that contemplates service for up to 228 units. Commissioners and neighboring residents focused on transportation and utility impacts: staff recommended, and the board authorized, a targeted traffic addendum to the existing study to analyze closure or rerouting options for County Road 522/522E and potential effects at the Highway 40 intersections. "We would like to hire Aldridge to do a traffic study and explore the impacts of the closure of 522 E," Chris Manguso said.

Neighbors raised concerns about construction dust on local gravel roads and potential sewer‑plant capacity needs if buildout continues beyond the initial phase. Resident Sue Volk pressed the board to require dust‑control during construction and to clarify whether developer contributions would cover any necessary sewer‑plant expansion; staff and the developer said developers would be expected to contribute to necessary plant upgrades. Planning staff will track the traffic‑study scope and costs; the board asked staff to return with a proposed scope and estimated fee before committing county funds.