Planners back Phase 3 of Hayden Farm with conditions to limit disturbance and address potential floodplain impacts

Planner Whitney presented Phase 3 of the Hayden Farm subdivision in Harden Valley: 42 single-family lots on roughly 47 acres (0.89 dwelling units per acre), to connect into the existing subdivision and use two access points on Samway Road. The plan includes roads with reduced pavement width due to steep slopes and sidewalks on one side of each new street.

Staff recommended approval with conditions to limit land disturbance to the slope-analysis recommendation of 13.07 acres (the grading plan showed 16.1 acres disturbed), require a FEMA Letter of Map Revision to update flood zones and base elevations for lots 25 through 42 (a no-fill line was shown on the plan), and produce a stream-determination study for county engineering and public works; the stream study could require consolidation or removal of lots if buffers apply. Staff also required that required stream buffers and the required landscape measures be implemented.

Whitney and engineering staff said the applicant refused to accept placing the flood-zone area in the common area, though staff said engineering will address fill limits at design-plan stage. The plan was recommended for approval subject to the noted conditions; the commission’s transcript records discussion but no formal vote.