St. John Plan Commission approves Dancing Waters subdivision, grants sidewalk and streetlight waivers

The Town of St. John Plan Commission on July 15 approved the Dancing Waters 1‑lot and 2‑lot subdivision and granted two waivers that will allow the developer to proceed without new sidewalks at the end of the cul‑de‑sac and without an additional streetlight.

John Gill, speaking for town staff, told the commission the application requests a continuation of a sidewalk waiver previously granted when the development began about a decade ago and a waiver of a streetlight at the cul‑de‑sac. "The only thing, we should do first is he's requesting a sidewalk waiver and a streetlight waiver," Gill said, describing the waivers as continuations linked to the original subdivision approval.

When asked for technical comment, Engineer John Dykstra said he had no further concerns and that the project appeared satisfactory. During discussion, one member said that "in lieu of the streetlight, there will be [a] postlight," indicating the developer will install a coach‑style or post light at the cul‑de‑sac rather than a full streetlight fixture.

The commission considered motions on the two waivers separately. A committee member moved to grant a continuation of the sidewalk waiver; another member seconded and the commission approved the waiver. The panel then voted to grant the streetlight waiver. The Chair opened a public hearing on application 2026‑03 (Dancing Waters) but noted there were no members of the public present and closed the hearing after multiple calls.

Following the waivers, a committee member moved to approve the 1‑lot and 2‑lot subdivision plat for Dancing Waters; another member seconded and the commission approved the plat. The Chair advised the applicant they were "all set," and the applicant thanked the commission.

Earlier in the meeting the commission approved the minutes from its June 17, 2026 meeting by unanimous voice vote. The meeting then moved to a short public‑comment call with no speakers, and the commission adjourned.

The Plan Commission did not request additional studies or conditions in the recorded discussion; the waivers were described in the meeting as continuations of prior approvals rather than newly negotiated exceptions. The commission did not receive any public testimony on the Dancing Waters application during the July 15 meeting.