Hearing on Ferrar Business Park collector‑street exception continued after staff and applicant discuss alternatives

The Public Works Committee continued a land‑use appeal for two weeks after discussion between the applicant and staff over whether the city should require dedication and construction of a collector street as part of a plat for Ferrar Business Park.

Kale Makimo of Long Branch Civil Engineering said he represents the applicant and described the request as a housekeeping plat and a small land swap to correct lot boundaries. He said the collector shown in the major‑street plan would be roughly 1,300 linear feet and cost about $2 million, would not connect to a public road at either end, and would not tie into any municipal water or sewer infrastructure at this time. "The collector street would trend north to south. It's about 1300 lineal feet. That's about a $2 million improvement, but it does not connect to a road on either the north end or the south end," he said.

Vicki, a city staff member, explained why public works recommended denying the exception: if the city allows the plat to proceed without securing the right‑of‑way now, future development or building permits could block the corridor and force the city to acquire land or construct a taxpayer‑funded alignment later. "If we don't get the right of way now ... at a minimum, securing that right away at least preserves that laneage in the future if we should need it going forward," she said.

Vicki proposed alternatives, including a restrictive lot to hold the unplatted balance in reserve or a lot‑line adjustment where eligible, both of which could permit the owner to expand a single lot now while preserving the corridor for future platting. Kale said his client may pursue those options because the current major‑street alignment appears impractical on the ground and there is not yet a full land‑use plan for the 42‑acre parcel.

Outcome: the committee voted to continue the item for two weeks so the applicant can work with staff on alternatives. No final exception was granted or denied at the June 30 meeting.