Planning Commission Turns Down Eldridge Road Subdivision; Price Says "Rug Pulled Out From Under Us"

  • Wednesday, November 20, 2024

The Planning Commission has voted to deny a subdivision on narrow Eldridge Road, though the developer representative said approval had been promised if a water line was supplied.

The project in the first phase called for 39 lots - ranging from a half acre to three acres. A variance would have had to be approved for going under five acres.

Mr. Price said at a meeting several years, which he said was attended by County Commissioner Steve Highlander, the project was given a green light if the developer would extend a water line from Birchwood Pike.

Commissioner Highlander said he always had concerns about the narrow road and about flooding. He said, "I've seen two or three feet of water on that road."

Mr. Price said the developer had offered to raise the road so it would no longer flood.

Commissioner Highlander said he had consulted with the Highway 58 Fire Department and was told that to serve the subdivision fire trucks would have to go "the long way."

A representative of the fire marshal's office spoke of the difficulty of fire equipment reaching the planned subdivision.

Nathan Janeway, county director of development, said there had never been a signed agreement in which approval would be given for the project based on the water line extension.

Rep. Greg Vital was among those speaking against the subdivision, saying the project was not in keeping with the rural feel of the area and would be a safety hazard.

Residents said the one-lane bridge dates to 1938.

Mr. Price, saying "the rug has been pulled out from under us," said he had seen low boys traversing the road, and said fire trucks could as well.

He said there are not always "utopian" conditions for building, and he said if that request was denied then similar requests for building permits out in the county should not go forward as well.

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