Preliminary plat for C Bar approved

Pine Haven’s planning and zoning committee endorsed approval by the council of the C Bar Subdivision preliminary plat after a public hearing last week.

However, with site concerns still to be addressed including street names, possible realignment of Pine Haven Road and the mandate from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for all fire hydrants moved to be replaced with new, the governing body did not accept said application until they and developers Greg Cottrell and Robert Chamberlin could meet and discuss the needed adjustments.

At a workshop and subsequent special meeting Tuesday morning, Pine Haven Mayor Karla Brandenburg and her colleagues met with Cottrell in person and his partners via phone. She opened the discussion with the planned street names within the subdivision, saying, “It’s kind of a big deal to us.”

Names

The first concern, according to the mayor, was the possible confusion caused by the names proposed. The entire loop through the property was listed as Pine Crest and, for first responders dispatched to the area, valuable time could be lost trying to get to the right place.

Councilman and fire liaison Don Lancaster suggested an adjustment, splitting the area roads into two separate monikers to be easy to understand; this idea was readily accepted by all concerned.

Road alignment

The next issue on the agenda was the possible realignment of the Pine Haven Road to ease traffic through the two 90-degree bends at the top of the hill. This curve was intentionally set in place for speed control and council member Kristi Speed, after looking at alternative alignments presented by HDR Engineering’s Heath Turbiville, said, “I personally think we should leave it the way it is because it keeps the traffic down a little bit.”

Brandenburg and Councilman John Henle advocated the same thought.

The option of widening the road around these corners was brought out.

“The only reason I would say widen the road,” Brandenburg suggested, “is if they’re coming out with a fire truck or an ambulance, it’s a tight corner if somebody’s coming in.”

However, after more discussion, the mayor suggested a third choice: have the developers clear the trees from the right of way along this area where the line of sight is compromised by the foliage.

“If these trees were gone, then people coming into town could see the people coming from town,” she said.

Lancaster added, “The big thing with me is that on a number of occasions when we’ve had ambulance or fire calls, when we get up to this corner, these trees block the view.”

Cottrell agreed to further examine the situation with the town at a later date: “In the [lot] contract, we could put that in… they couldn’t put trees [within] 20 feet or whatever we can agree upon.”

Hydrants

The last problem discussed was the DEQ’s directive to change out the approximately six hydrants that must be replaced with new when moved. The cost of each hydrant to be replaced with associated parts is anticipated to run between $3000 and $5000, according to Public Works Director Sunny Schell.

Brandenburg suggested the town provide the new hydrants using the anticipated ARPA funding, “So we’ve got the money to supply the new hydrants.”

There are currently nine hydrants within the development in total.

After the mayor received feedback from all those in attendance, the special meeting was convened and the preliminary plat of the C Bar subdivision was approved.