Neighbors urge stricter review on Vista Ridge: safety, stormwater and public vetting of erosion plans

During the remand hearing, adjacent residents delivered detailed and pointed testimony urging the council to require earlier public review of grading and erosion-control documentation.

"Grading and filling has already happened on that property," said Kathy Cleles (reading concerns), and neighbors reported visible movement in adjacent yards and increased runoff after work on the site. Several speakers asked the council to insist that a GECP and HMP be submitted and open to public review before plat approval so the public could assess whether the applicant’s design supports the number of homes proposed.

Neighbors also raised environmental concerns about stormwater being directed to a stream behind properties and urged clearer, enforceable language in conditions to ensure stormwater is piped into an enclosed, maintainable system rather than allowed to flow overland onto neighbors’ yards. The council and applicant's legal counsel disputed the claim that those documents must precede tentative plat approval under current code, but acknowledged the public interest in seeing final plans before construction begins.

Councilors recorded that they would require approved HMP/GECP prior to construction permits and asked staff to clarify condition language about connecting to the existing storm system near Alderrest and Hemlock.