BY STACI WILSON
The fewest number of subdivision and land development plans in 16 years were submitted to the county in 2010.
Planning Director Bob Templeton said the lack of activity was due not only to the economy but also to landowners holding onto property because of natural gas.
Templeton presented the annual planning commission report at the March 9 commissioners meeting.
He said 89 subdivision and land development plans were processed by the commission in 2010 creating 116 new lots and parcels. The average lot size created in 2010 was 12.61 acres.
Subdivision plans have steadily declined since 2007. In that year, 168 plans were approved by the commission.
From 1994-2008, an average of 167 subdivision plans were approved by the planning commission each year.
A significant drop off in the number from previous average annual levels occurred in 2009, with 102 subdivision plans approved in the county.
The highest number of subdivision plans approved in the past 16 years with 257 occurred in 1995.
Templeton also noted that during the past year, the planning commission worked to amend the county’s subdivision and land development ordinance.
The amendment addressed natural gas compressor stations and waste water treatment facilities. The revised ordinance was adopted by the county commissioners in January.
The ordinance limits the decibel level allowed at the nearest occupied building not on the property at 60 decibels, comparable to someone speaking in a whisper.
It also increased the required setback distance for compressor stations.
According to the commission report, the county saw a significant increased in natural gas extraction activity, including leasing, drilling and rights-of-way secured for collection and gathering pipelines.
The report noted the commission had anticipated seeing an increased number of subdivisions, residential and land developments and mobile home park plans to handle the influx of gas industry employees.
Although some inquiries have been made to planning staff regarding housing only one plan was submitted the commission in 2010. It has not yet been approved.
With new census data available this year, the planning commission plans to begin gathering the information needed to update the county’s comprehensive plan.
The plan was adopted in 2003 and it is recommended it be reviewed every 10 yearss
Be the first to comment on "Subdivisions hit 16 year low"