Planning commission unanimously approves Pine Ridge plat amendment to reduce excavation and retaining walls

The Snyderville Basin Planning Commission voted 5‑0 to approve a plat amendment for Lot 110 in the Pine Ridge subdivision that shifts the recorded building pad to reduce driveway length, minimize excavation and decrease the size and number of retaining walls.

County planner Maddie McDonough presented the staff report and recommended approval “pursuant to the findings of fact, conclusions of law, and conditions of approval found in the staff report,” citing the county code provision for changing a recorded plat (Chapter 10 §3‑18). McDonough told the commission the proposed and existing building pads are similar in size and that the amendment is intended to limit site disturbance and preserve native vegetation.

Property owner Alana Greer, who answered commissioners’ clarifying questions, told the panel moving the build envelope upslope will reduce the degree of excavation. “In order to build further down, we’d have to erect retaining walls … if we extend it in the way we’re proposing towards the yellow lines, those would be lesser retaining walls required,” she said.

Scott Schofield, representing the Pine Brook HOA Architectural Committee, spoke during the public hearing and said the HOA supports the amendment because remaining lots are very steep and the change would ease driveway and access challenges without impacting protected open space to the north.

A commissioner moved approval following staff findings; another seconded. On roll call commissioners voted aye (McKenna, Diane, EJ, John and the chair/remaining commissioner), and the motion passed unanimously.

The approval allows the applicant to record the amended plat subject to the conditions listed in the staff report. No civil‑engineer excavation quantities were presented at the hearing; the applicant and architect said civil consultants had advised that keeping development higher on the lot would reduce overall cut/fill and retaining‑wall needs.